It’s dark, rainy and hard to see out of your rearview mirror. As you’re backing up out of a parking spot, you feel a sudden jolt as you accidentally reverse into a parked car. Oh no! Has this ever happened to you?
Or what about this? You navigate a crowded parking lot on a winter evening. When you arrive home, you notice a scratch on your bumper that you’re certain wasn’t there before you started navigating the parking lot. You’re worried you unknowingly hit a parked car.
The rules are relatively straightforward on what to do if you cause a car accident and all parties involved are present.
But what should you do if you hit a parked car and the owner is nowhere to be seen?
Here’s what you need to know (and do) if this happens to you.
What to do if you hit a parked car (8 steps)
State laws require all US drivers to obey a standard of “reasonable care, ” which means acting in a way any prudent driver would in a similar situation. Each state sets its own specific legal requirements in vehicle codes and other traffic laws and regulations. Whether an accident happens in a parking lot or public street, it makes no difference.
While it’s important to be aware of your local requirements, there are some common themes to help understand what the law requires if you hit an unattended vehicle and can’t find the owner of the other vehicle. Follow these steps to make sure you comply with the law and protect yourself from additional claims:
Legal DO’s and DON’Ts after hitting a parked car:
- DO leave a note and/or call the police
- DO talk to witnesses
- DO inform your insurance company
- DO contact an attorney
- DON’T freak out and leave the scene
- DON’T put yourself at risk of further injury by standing or waiting in an area with traffic
- DON’T forget to document the accident (take pictures and video)
- DON’T admit fault or apologize
1. Stay calm and breathe
First, stop your car and take a breath. Make sure you’re okay and that no one in your car is injured. If you or someone else is hurt, call 911 immediately. If possible, move your car off the road and to a safe place nearby. Turn on your flashers to warn others to be cautious as you will be getting out of your car.
You’re not going to go to jail for hitting a parked car if you take the necessary steps, so stay calm and make your health and safety your number one priority.
2. Don’t commit a hit-and-run in a parking lot
A hit-and-run accident is when a person collides with a person, car, or object and flees the accident scene without stopping to exchange information or assist the other people involved in the accident.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a hit-and-run crash happens somewhere in the United States every 43 seconds.
A hit-and-run is considered a criminal offense. Depending on the state, a hit-and-run may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony punishable by fines, jail time, license points or all of these.
If you hit a parked car and leave, a police officer can use witnesses, surveillance footage, your license plate, and other evidence to identify and arrest you. As a result of a hit-and-run conviction, you will face higher insurance rates and you may even have trouble finding an insurance company to insure you.
So how do you avoid a hit-and-run?
- Stop your vehicle at the scene of the accident, and
- Locate the owner of the property or leave a written note providing your name and contact information (more on this in a moment).
3. Leave a note
When you hit a parked car, you’re expected to locate the owner of the car and notify them. This may be difficult or impossible in some situations, such as when the vehicle is unoccupied, which is why most states have adopted a minimal requirement to leave a note with your contact information.
Pin the note under the wiper (in a sandwich bag if you have one in case it rains). This note helps you avoid being accused of a hit and run. Don’t say anything in the note that puts you in a bad light or admits fault such as “I’m such a bad driver.”
Some states stipulate the exact details to include in the note, but at the very least the note should contain your:
- Name,
- Address,
- Phone number,
- A very brief explanation of what happened (e.g., “hit by car”)
Keep it simple.
4. Report the accident to police
Most states require you to contact the police if the crash results in an injury or any damage.
In addition, some states, including Florida and California, legally require you to report any accident to the police as well as provide your information. In New York, a driver must notify police if they’re unable to exchange information.
The penalties for failing to report an accident to authorities are more severe when injuries are involved. In Illinois, for example, you can be charged with a felony for fleeing an accident scene and failing to report an injury within 30 minutes.
5. Take photos and video
Take as many photos as you can using your phone or a camera. Be sure to take photos of the vehicles involved, the surrounding area, and any damage. If possible, attach a timestamp to the photos. Most smartphones have a timestamp feature.
6. Talk to witnesses
Talk to any eyewitnesses and take down their contact information immediately (witnesses are notoriously difficult to track down after a crash). Identifying witnesses helps show that you didn’t flee the scene and can reinforce your version of events. If you don’t feel comfortable approaching strangers, feel free to wait for the police and let them talk to the witnesses.
7. Call your insurance company
Your insurance company expects to be notified of any accident, even if you weren’t able to locate the vehicle owner and left a note. If you fail to notify your insurance company within a certain period of time, your insurance company may deny coverage.
8. Consult an attorney
While not legally required, we strongly recommend you schedule a free consultation with a local car accident attorney near you. A car accident attorney can help you collect damages or can help minimize your liability.
What to do if you panicked and left the accident scene
In a moment of panic, people often make the grave mistake of leaving the scene of the accident after hitting a parked car. This is a hit-and-run, which is considered a criminal offense, and the owner may have up to 2 years to file a claim.
Fortunately, there are ways you can make the situation right and clear your conscience.
First, how long ago was the accident? Did it happen less than an hour ago? If the parked car is still there, go back and leave your contact information on the windshield.
If the car is gone, there are two steps you should take:
- Contact the police. Most states require you to contact the police following an accident. What’s more, all states require you to contact the police if you’re involved in a hit-and-run. Although you may still be charged with a hit-and-run, contacting the police and explaining what happened may help you avoid a conviction or it may result in reduced penalties.
- Contact an attorney. If you’re worried about civil liability or criminal charges, it’s a good idea to meet with a car accident attorney. Most initial consultations are free.
Was the accident your fault?
If the car you hit was parked, you will likely be deemed “at fault” for the accident. However, you might be able to avoid liability or at least reduce your liability if you can prove that someone else was responsible or partially responsible for the accident. For example, you may have hit the parked car after swerving to avoid another car that was out of control or perhaps the parked car was illegally parked.
Assuming you’re not in a no-fault state, the person responsible for the accident will be responsible for paying the damages. You won’t be legally obligated to repair your own car unless it’s unsafe to have on the road. .
Will your insurance go up after hitting a parked car?
If you’re at fault, the short answer is probably. Ultimately, though, it’ll depend on your insurer, your insurance policy, the amount of damage and if you’ve filed a claim before. Some insurers have “accident forgiveness,” which allows a single at-fault collision without increasing rates.
Should you settle out of pocket? It’s worth noting that most insurers require you to report any accident within a reasonable time. This protects them and you. However, to avoid increased rates, people do sometimes choose to settle with the other driver out of their own pocket, but this carries some risks. For example, the innocent party might later claim that you never paid them or that there was more damage than they originally thought.
Ultimately, only you can decide what risks you’re willing to take.
What if someone hit your parked car and left?
If you or the police are able to identify the hit-and-run driver, you can make a claim against their insurance or file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
If you’re unable to identify the hit-and-run driver, the following optional insurance policies may still provide coverage:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. UM coverage provides coverage for damages sustained as a result of an accident involving a driver who can’t be located.
- Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage provides up to $10,000 in coverage regardless of who’s at fault. Whether or not PIP covers hit-and-run accidents depends on your specific policy.
- MedPay coverage. MedPay coverage provides coverage for medical expenses regardless of who’s at fault. Again, whether or not MedPay covers hit-and-run accidents depends on your specific policy.
Additionally, there is something called “parked car insurance.” If you have a car that you only drive a few times a year (perhaps you keep it parked on the street most of the year), you can purchase parked car insurance (sometimes called “storage coverage”). This type of insurance generally doesn’t include liability coverage, but may cover the damages caused by someone who crashes into your parked car and flees the scene.
If you hit a parked car, try not to beat yourself up.
Keith Eash says
I hit a parked car last night and left the scene. The police tracked me down and called me and I went back to fill out a report and admitted to it. Although, when I.looked I did’nt think there was any damage. I.looked atbthe tail lights instead of the bumpers. Since, I went back and filled out an acvident report should I contact a lawyer.
Ian Pisarcik says
Keith,
You’ll most likely be contacted by the company that insures the vehicle you hit. Whether or not you want to contact a lawyer may depend on the claim made by the insured party. If you think the claim is reasonable, you may have no need to contact an attorney (particularly since you have admitted liability in the damage is minor). Nevertheless, if you have any doubts, it doesn’t hurt to schedule an initial consultation with an attorney. Most attorneys don’t charge for initial consultations and you can discuss your options (as well as have a contact if things go south).
Shae says
I hit a parked car in Walmart I don’t have a license it was a fender bender but I didn’t know I had to leave a not because but wen the police came to me house I admitted to it I got a ticket for damage to a unattended car what should I do I’m so scared
Ian Pisarcik says
In Nevada, a hit-and-run that causes only property damage is a misdemeanor and generally involves a fine of $1,000. Additionally, you may receive a fine for driving without a license. Finally, you’ll be responsible for paying any damage to the vehicle that you hit. If you don’t agree to pay for the damages, the owner of the vehicle can file a lawsuit against you for the damages.
Randy Segovia says
My vehicle was parked in front of my house. Around 4:00am Jan 20th. It was a hit and run accident where the driver left the vehicle abandoned about l mile passed my house. Local authorities had the vehicle towed. There insurance company only wants to pay me very little for my vehicle. It is considered a total loss. I’m asking the insurance company to fix or replace my vehicle. They won’t. What are my options?
Ian Pisarcik says
Randy,
You can continue to try to negotiate with the insurance company. But, if the insurance company doesn’t budge, you’ll need to reach out to a personal injury attorney. The attorney will submit a demand letter and negotiate your claim on your behalf. Unfortunately, the reality is that attorneys generally have more success negotiating claims.
Elaina M Conant says
I scraped a car in a parking lot at the drs yesterday. I went in to tr and find the owner, left a note w/ my name, umber and explanation and took a couple of pictures. I have not heard from them. How long do they have to contact me??
Ian Pisarcik says
Elaina,
Depending on your state, they have until the statute of limitations runs to file a lawsuit (this is generally 2 or 3 years from the date of the accident). Be sure to keep the pictures somewhere safe in case they try to assert that you caused damage that you didn’t cause.
Amy says
I rented a car hourly today and backed into a parked vehicle. I was terrified and immediately pulled to the side street nearby. The owner of the vehicle found me and realized how panicked and afraid I was and immediately told me it was ok and it didn’t do much to his vehicle and to just worry about the rental car damage. I reported it to the rental company and they told me they are sending it to their claims department. My question is, will I have to pay their $1,000 damage fee said on their website ? or just pay for the paint and 3 inch crack in bumper. It’s very minor and I feel shouldn’t cost much. Will they have to show me proof of what I need to pay? And is there a such thing as payment plan?
Ian Pisarcik says
Amy,
It’s possible your insurance provider will pay the cost, so I would consider reaching out to them first. As far as payment plans go, that depends on the company. Most companies are willing to work with people via a payment plan.
Jane says
I am a newbie driver and i just hit a parked car today in the parking lot. Wasn’t paying attention i backed up little too much. I got out of the car and panicked but i still managed to find the owner but i was freaking out though. There was a little dent on his car and he asked my car insurance info. I was really freaking out i even forgot to take a picture of the car that i accidentally hit. I even forgot to take his plate number. Because i was panicking and i just wanted to get out of there. So basically i really didn’t get any info about that car. All i know is that it’s a white car.
How many days before i can receive a call from them?
And as i’’m reading here online about other people’s scam that they blame you with the other scratch of their car even you didn’t do it.
Now i am afraid that because i didn’t get a picture of the damage part that i caused, they will blame me in the other scratches in their car.
Please give me an advice! Thanks!
Ian Pisarcik says
Jane,
I’m sorry this happened to you. The other driver must pursue a claim within the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations varies by state, but is generally 2 or 3 years.
To put it another way, the owner of the car probably has up to 2 or 3 years to contact you, so they’ll have enough time to file a lawsuit if need be. Of course, driver’s generally don’t wait this long.
Lisa says
I tapped a parked car in a parking garage pulling out of a tight spot. , I checked their car and did not see damage but it was somewhat dark my car has no damage either. . Someone was video taping me , and I panicked and left .. I am worried sick about it
Ian Pisarcik says
Hi Lisa,
Under Nebraska Law, you’re only required to leave a note with your insurance information if you cause “damage” to the vehicle. If there wasn’t any damage, you don’t have anything to worry about. If you think you caused damage, you should call the police and report the accident.
Regardless, it’s a good idea to take time-stamped pictures of your car showing that there’s no damage in case the owner of the car identifies you and tries to sue you.
Beatriz says
I just hit a car but it was only the exterior mirror that might have gotten damage at least for me it was. I waited a little bit didn’t see anyone so I left mostly I was scared. What should I do? First time these has happened to me very worried
Ian Pisarcik says
Beatriz,
The proper thing to do is to leave a note with your contact information. I would suggest doing whatever is possible to locate the driver. With that being said, there might not be a lot you can do. Perhaps return to the place where you hit the car to see if the car is parked there (maybe the driver lives and works nearby and is often parked there).
Claudia De Cola says
Hello.
I arrived at work , worked for the day. On coming out i noticed the shine on my car was slightly matt and a tiny new speck was on my car. I noticed is only as i just had my car highly polished.Now im freaking out a car may of pulled out on me and i didnt even feel it. im so confused, What do I do ,If this did happen does it mean? I dont want it to be reported as a hit and run, as i didnt even notice. The slight shine has been taken off my left hand back rear just in front of the back tyre bottom 1/4down . how do you read that what should I do.
Ian Pisarcik says
Claudia,
If you think another car hit you, you’ll have to attempt to identify the at-fault party. Are there potential witnesses you can talk to? Security footage?
Elaina M Conant says
I scraped their car and left a note thinking they would call. Took pictures of their car. I put off filing a claim waiting to hear from them. There was no physical damage to my car, just paint exchange that a friend buffed out. Their car looked about the same. No phone call ,one week, two weeks…..after 4 weeks, my car was parked in the parking lot at my work and a customer in an RV was turning around and hit my car $3000+ in damage. He accepted full responsibility and his insurance is covering it. Because the damage was so much, I called my insur. to inform them. I said that I didn’t want to file a claim since it was parked and he accepted responsibility. They insisted I file a claim and then close it. I insisted that I did not want to open a claim but, he pushed it. Told me to call and cancel it after the other party agreed to cover it. Now it’s been another week and a half and the other company easily agreed to cover it. My car is in the shop getting fixed. Now, I’m trying to get a hold of my adjuster or anyone to cancel the unwanted claim and getting a run around. Then last night out of the blue I got a message from the lady who’s car I scratched. I understand Now that I should have filed a claim right away. I didn’t realize she had 2 years to contact me. I was only thinking didn’t know her name or contact information to file a claim. And , believed that she didn’t contact me because there was no real damage like my car. Naive or wishful or stupid. But not intentionally criminal or fraudulent. Why leave a note if I was. My concern is when I do get hold of my insurance to report it they will think I intentionally tried to do something. That they will think the damage from the 2nd accident was the result of the first. The first one was the front passenger side and second was rear passenger side. And they will want to drop me for scratching a car in a minor parking lot accident. I am so stressed. I want to at least close that stupid unwanted claim before filing one to cover the car I hit. Am I in trouble? Help me. Time limit says reasonable time to file.
Ian Pisarcik says
Elaina,
Try not to be stressed out. Your only obligation was to leave a note. You’ve done nothing wrong. Simply let your insurance company know about the accident.
Maxime says
How do I handle this situation? I was at the stop light today and a squeegee boy wanted to clean my windshield. I declined and he moved on only to be called over by a guy in a blue pickup truck parallel to me. They began arguing and long story short, they opened the door twice onto my vehicle and damaged it. I didn’t get the tag number and the guy sped off when the lights changed. I didn’t see the damage to my vehicle until I reached home. How do I pursue this matter?
Ian Pisarcik says
Maxime,
In order to pursue a lawsuit, you’ll have to identify the responsible party. Were there any witnesses you could talk to? You might consider reaching out an attorney to help you investigate the matter. Alternatively, you can reach out to your insurance provider and see if they are willing to investigate.
James Hudson says
I had hit a car last week and not realised as the road was very busy and I was getting beeped and shouted at by a driver behind me and I must have hit a car when I thought I jusy caught the side of a tree or the curb. I had driven home and didn’t think anything of it. I’ve now been contacted by the police for my insurance information and mine. I am very scared what will happen now as it was a genuine mistake and hadn’t realised I had hit a car. Will this be an offence as I’ve never been in trouble with the police before or are they handing my information over to the victims insurance company?
Ian Pisarcik says
James,
Unless the police told you otherwise, they are probably just obtaining your insurance information for the victim (so the victim can provide the information to their insurer). Generally, you won’t be guilty of a hit-and-run if you weren’t aware that you hit a vehicle (i.e., if you didn’t run intentionally). Nevertheless, I would recommend speaking with an attorney in your area about your situation.
Gordon says
Hi, I hit a parked unoccupied car in Michigan and it sustained a small 6” dent. I left a note with my number and they called. Since the dent was small I checked with my body shop and they estimated $400 to $450 for the repair. They are asking for $1100 plus car rental, plus depreciation for a total of $2000. Now they are threatening with police and their insurance to “get me”. I’ve already offered to pay $450, what can I do with an unreasonable request?
Ian Pisarcik says
Gordon,
You might want to request that they take the car to your body shop to get an estimate. If they continue to be unreasonable, you’ll have to get your insurance carrier involved. Call your insurance company and let them know what happened and explain that the party is demanding an unreasonable amount of money. Your insurance company will do their own investigation as to the reasonable cost of repairs.
Jenna says
I was at work ( I work as a domino’s delivery driver) so I reversed into a car and I thought I hit the kerb cause sometimes I usually hit the kerb and think nothing of it so I just continues on driving cause it was dark and I couldn’t see anything so I drove off back to work and i when I got back to work they told me that they got a call from the person I hit and I was in shock cause I didn’t know I hit their car , so I went back after my shift which I was supposed to finish before my manager told me to take this last shift and so I went back after my shift and talked to the guy and apologised and This guy that I did a hit and run on had a small scratch as well and he said that apparently his car is very expensive and that they need to remove the whole front bumper (mind you I just got this car and The next day I was going to get my car insured so it was not insured yet) but he said we can discuss it our selves but he asked for 2,000 for the damage that was minor I only scraped off a little bit of paint . What’s gonna happen to me but I think that money he’s asking for is a lot and is inappropriate because it was very little And he told me to meet him and give him the money in cash and in public but then I asked people their advice and they said I shouldn’t have to give him 2,000 and when I told him that he said I was being unreasonable and he was disappointed and then threatened to call the police and get me fired and have my license suspended am I going to jail?
Sam says
What if you’re car isn’t insured but still payed the money the other individual asked plus more for damage and now they are demanding more and that the insurance is going to get me ??
L magill says
Hi, I was illegally parked and reversed into someone unknowingly to me at the time, I returned 5 mins later to find the other car owner waiting on me and both cars bumpers were touching. We exchanged details I took 1 pic of the very minor damage to the other car, no damage whatsoever to my car of any paint missing from either car.
Since I have had time to think about it I don’t think my car has caused the very minor damage to the other car. Where should I go from here and due to the fact I was illegally parked am I guilty?
Ian Pisarcik says
L magill,
You aren’t necessarily liable just because you were illegally parked. The important question is whether you caused the accident. I would wait for the other party (or their insurance company) to contact you seeking payment first. At that point, you can choose to contest the damage. However, because the damages were so minor, you’ll have to weigh whether it’s worth the fight.
Alex Jensen says
So I did something really stupid and when pulling into a parking spot I scraped the car next to me. I left a note on the car with an explanation and my phone number but no other personal information. I didnt hear anything until a few weeks later when the person called me. I panicked and blocked the caller. Then the insurance company started to call me and they have found out my name as well. Are they able to find my insurance and bill me just based off that if I havent spoken to either party at all? I really do feel bad, but I absolutely cannot afford even the down payment at the moment and so I’ve just avoided answering my phone in hopes that they just wont be able to resolve it. The damage was purely cosmetic but even that can be pricey. At this point would it still be possible to resolve the accident outside of the insurance company and just pay out of pocket if the person who’s car was damaged agrees to it? Or since they have already reported it to their insurance company is it too late?
Ian Pisarcik says
Alex,
The insurance company will likely be able to find your insurance company and contact them. Regardless, the insurance company can file a lawsuit and secure a judgment against you if you simply don’t answer. At that point, the insurance company could potentially garnish your wages. I would recommend reaching out to your insurance company. Your insurance company may allow you to enter into some sort of payment plan to pay the deductible.
Joey says
I hit scratched a parked car while pulling into the parking spot beside. The scratch on their car was about the size of a quarter and no dents from what I could see, and there were security cameras in the area. The owners were inside the car when I hit them. They said they would move their car but I said I would move mine to another location instead since they were already parked. I found another spot nearby, but decided not to park there because it was in a high-traffic area and I was afraid that someone else would hit my car. So I went to park in the lot beside where it was less busy. I walked back to the lot where I hit the person, but they weren’t there anymore. I spent 10min looking for them or their car. I’m afraid that this would look like a hit and run since I parked somewhat far from the scene of the accident. I’ve been stressing about this all day. What should I do now? What’s the worse that can happen to me?
Ian Pisarcik says
Joey,
it sounds like you made an effort to locate the victim. If you exchanged information, simply follow up with them. If you didn’t exchange information, it’s possible they will obtain the security footage in order to get your license plate and contact you. Again, this probably isn’t a hit and run because you made an effort to find the victim. Plus, you can utilize the same security footage to show that you returned to the scene.
Denita Currieo says
I was at the casino and I was backing into a spot but the car in the spot that was next to the spot I was going to park in was parked crooked and I realized that as I was backing up so I moved to a different space. I didn’t leave and when I came out all was fine but the next day a police officer called and I made several attempts to call him back but never was able to reach him. Then yesterday a letter came
for me to appear in court. Now I’m scared what should I do? The court is tomorrow and I just got the letter a day ago. I just moved so my mail is slowly being forward. Also I didn’t know I hit the anything. What should I do?? Please help.
Ian Pisarcik says
Denita,
Make sure you go to court. If you don’t, the judge can rule against you. In the meantime, I would recommend trying to meet with an attorney today. The attorney may be able to request that the hearing be moved to allow you more time to prepare. If you can’t afford an attorney, call your local state bar and ask to be referred to a free or reduced-cost attorney. Explain that you have a court date tomorrow.
Angelina Urias says
I was driving from the food back on april 04 19 the police pull me over asd ask me if I hit a car I said no I had my dauther I give him my informasion
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Angelina. Thank you for sharing. I hope everything works out okay for you and your daughter. Be well!
Denita says
I’m already at court it was at 9 but they moved it to 10. Also on the summons it says it’s a civil but when I got here they said it was a criminal ticket so I’m worried and don’t know what to do. I guess let the dice roll where they may. I didn’t have any time to speak to a lawyer.
Denita says
I like to thank you for your advise. I went to court and the judge said I should pled not guilty. So that the other party can have a chance to plea their side and bring witnesses. But there was nobody around from what I remember. Because when I went to park in another parking space and walked in there was no one around. And I didn’t go look at the car as where I didn’t know I hit the car. So now I’ve waived my right to a lawyer and have to pay for one myself. So I guess I’ll see if I can find one that can help for free right? I don’t under stand all this and in the sommons they sent me states civil but when arrived to check in they said it was criminal and I had no ideal and truly didn’t know I bump this car
Ian Pisarcik says
Denita,
You can often find a free or reduced-cost attorney by contacting your local bar association. When you call the bar association explain your situation and tell them that you are looking for a referral to a free or reduced-cost attorney.
Kylee says
I hat a parked car on accident and we decided i was going to pay out of pocket but she also told me i need to pay for her uber while her car is getting repaired for 2 days. is that true?
Ian Pisarcik says
Kylee,
You are essentially negotiating an out-of-pocket settlement with the other driver. With that in mind, you don’t have to pay for her Uber. If you refuse to pay, she could (in theory, though it’s unlikely) sue you and ask the court to order you pay for the Uber. Whether or not the court would order that depends on a number of factors, but it is a possibility. I would talk to an attorney in your area if you want help negotiating a settlement.
Latreia Williams says
I hit a car pulling in to the parking space of Walmart and lady was in car she asked me for my information we exchanged it all I told her I don’t have insurance I’m a little afraid of what’s going to happen next I told her I’ll pay for the damage since it was a lil dent she filed a claim against me through her insurance what happens next?
Ian Pisarcik says
Latreia,
The insurance company for the woman you hit will likely contact you and demand payment for the damages. Because you do not have insurance, you will be on the hook for the entire amount. However, you want to make sure the insurance company isn’t demanding more than the amount of damages that you caused. If you believe the insurance company is making an unreasonable demand, you may want to contact an attorney in your area to help negotiate a settlement.
Manny Rodriguez says
So basically what happened that I was pulling out of the street curb I wasn’t paying attention and I hit a mini van on the side I stoped and got out of the car the other driver came out and asked me what happened I told him I was sorry I hit his car I was already taking out my license and I was about to give my insurance and information but then he said no don’t worry about it man you seem like a cool guy these things happen just next time be a little more aware and then left could I suffer any consequences for this incident ?
Ian Pisarcik says
Manny,
The person you hit could always decide to sue you at a later date. Though it’s pretty unlikely, particularly if the driver didn’t take your information. You might consider taking a photograph of your car just in case the driver attempts to sue you later and claims that you caused more damage than you actually caused.
Rajesh says
Hi today I was backing up and slightly touched the car in the back was parked it was not that hard soo I saw from my car there was nothing happened to the car parked soo i didnt bother to get out .but some witnesses me to do that and stopped me and then i came out and went with her to watch the car but still there was nothing on car then I left from scene but the witness has my number plate .what’s next I am worried.
Ian Pisarcik says
The law requires you to leave a not if you hit a parked car. The penalty for failing to do so varies by state, but generally includes a fine. If you have a way to contact the driver, I would do so. Otherwise, you’ll simply have to wait to see if the driver contacts you with a demand for damages.
Nautica says
I hit a parked car leaving good will, I have no license and was scared so I left the scene.and went to get my bf. Both of our names is on the car but he is the only one on the insurance.i went back to give my info but the car wasn’t there.what should I do???
Ian Pisarcik says
Nautica,
You should always leave a note when you hit a car. That is the law in every state. At this point, there’s not a lot that can be done apart from attempting to locate the driver. Were there any witnesses who could help you identify the driver?
Maintenance says
I’m a maintenance worker at an appartment complex, due to budget issues I dont have my own golf cart for work so I have to drive my own car around the complex(16 buildings). I was parked between 2 trucks running work orders and as I was backing out I was focused on not hitting the trucks on either side of me but wound up barely bumping the truck behind me.
I got out to inspect for damages and didnt see anything, it was a truck with a metal bumper on the back.
I’m terrified of what to do, I haven’t left the scene or anything, I mean I work here so my car is still parked near the truck. Theres no damages and in any other situation I would leave a note but seeing as I work here I know just how unreasonable tenants can be. I’m freaking out a bit
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for leaving a message. The law requires you to leave a note if you hit a parked vehicle. Because there’s no damage, I would recommend taking several photos of the truck that you hit. That way, the owner of the truck can’t later claim that you caused damage that you didn’t actually cause. Try not to freak out. If there wasn’t any damage, there’s no basis for a lawsuit.
Paige Green says
I was visiting a relative and it was rainy and foggy out and I brushed a parked car as I was trying to park. I looked at the damage to both cars and noticed a few scratches nothing really noticeable. There was no one around to talk to and didn’t have anything to write with so I went inside and wrote a note with my name and number on it but when I came out to put it on the windshield I noticed my car now had a large dent in it so I ended up just leaving because my car now had far more damage to it than the other car which still just had scratches and I didn’t have proof it was the owner of the other car but still no one around. What now?
Ian Pisarcik says
Paige,
When you crash into a vehicle, the law requires you to leave a note regardless of whether your vehicle has more damage than the car you hit. At this point, there’s not much that can be done unless you know the owner of the vehicle (in which case you should contact the owner and explain what happened).
DLeal says
A car was parked on the other side of the street behind our driveway. When my daughter was backing up she hit the parked car because it was at her blind spot. Not directly behind her. We contacted the owner and they live down the street in apartments but are parking there because they cant have more than two cars parked in their appointment and are waiting to sell the vehicle parked behind our driveway. Questions: 1)Who files the claim? 2)Could we have them remove the vehicle parked from that location? 3)my car is insured but my daughter is not on my policy yet since she just started driving. Will I have to add her on my insurance?
Ian Pisarcik says
Dornella,
Unfortunately, the neighbor is likely within their rights to park on the street, and therefore, your daughter is likely liable for the accident. In terms of filing the insurance claim, your neighbor would generally file the claim with their insurance or directly with your insurance company. Generally, your car insurance policy covers the car, rather than the driver. But, this isn’t always the case. An attorney would need to look at your specific policy to see if your daughter was covered. Consider contacting an attorney using our free online directory.
Irwing says
I hit a car in a parking garage and drove off in a panic but returned a minute after i calmed down and left my information. It was a first for me and i felt bad. Later she called me and said thank you for leaving my information. Now im paying in full for the damage i caused
Ale says
Was told that if you hit a parked car that is not parked fully into a parking space it is still your fault. My question is how does it make it your fault if the car was not all the way parked in the the space. Hit a parked car because the front of it was sticking out of the parking space.
Ian Pisarcik says
Ale,
There is no blanket rule that if you hit a parked car that’s not in a parking spot it’s your fault. It’s certainly possible that a court would find you at fault (the idea being that you had a duty to avoid striking another car no matter where it’s located). However, it’s also possible that a court would find the other party partially at fault for being outside the parking lines (this is particularly likely if the lot is unlit, etc.). I would recommend speaking to a lawyer in your area.
Jj says
I accidentally hit a car yesterday in the parking lot. I went down and see what happened, and saw only the side rear mirror got hit. I didnt realize there is other damage. So I changed to other space. However, this morning the police tracked me down since there are two witness remembered my license plate. The police accused me hit and run and said I will have to go to the court. He took my license information and contact number. He did said he will ask if the other side is willing to drop the charge. Do I need an attorney for this? Is it best for me to wait for the court notice? Or do I need to contact with my insurance company?
Ian Pisarcik says
Janet,
At this point, it doesn’t sound like you’ve received a letter indicating that you need to go to court or a lawsuit indicating that you need to respond to the lawsuit. As such, there’s no need for you to take any action at this point. However, because a letter or a lawsuit is likely coming, you may want to be proactive and seek out an attorney. Most initial consultations are free, and the attorney can help you decide what steps to take next. You can find an attorney using our free online directory.
TB says
I was trying to back in my car in a shopping mall parking yesterday and bumped into a parked car. I was nervous and was holding up traffic, so I drove and parked on a different lane. I came back to the spot to locate the car but could not recognize which car I had hit. I had my 4 yr old throwing a tantrum at the same time. My car did not even get a scratch. I am not sure if the car i hit sustained any damages. What should I do?
Melissa Gold says
Hello, there. This is a great question, so thank you for asking.
The general rule is never to leave the scene of a collision (even a minor one). However, moving your own car out of the path of other traffic seems reasonable. The tricky part is that you aren’t sure which car you hit — that complicates things. Generally, you’re required to leave a note with your contact information so the driver can get in touch with you when they return to the vehicle. Laws vary by state with respect to what meets the requirements for leaving a note and what it must contain.
As the article mentions, some states require you to report any collision to the police, and others require you to notify the police if you’re unable to leave your information for the other vehicle’s driver. At this point, making a report to the police to let them know what happened is probably a wise decision. How they choose to handle it might depend on your state or local laws and other factors.
Best of luck, and I hope today’s a better day.
Jane says
Hi, my husband was just involved in a crash inside our gated community, he turned a curve and one street over was a woman getting her mail, so he moved a little to the other lane because she was on the street and when he came right back to the right lane he hit a parked car with no one inside and no lights on. Our community very recently sent our guidelines that have been present for many years that no cars should be parked on the street or grass areas, which this car was parked on the street. My husband was unable to see the car as his headlights did not shine on it until it was too late. He was not speeding and there are bumpers on the road , however most of the damage is on his car since it’s a sedan and the parked car is SUV type. In addition there are bumpers on the road and the woman getting her mail saw everything. My husband knocked on the persons door whose car it was and told him he crashed but he has insurance. The guy was drinking something and seemed buzzed and threw the drink down and told him he was gonna fight him. My husband doesn’t speak English so he tried to communicate that, but then two guys were yelling at him and two girls as well. Then the first guy who was drinking slammed the car door on my husbands side and scratched /bruised his underarm . My husband passed out on the street from the pain and they just kept yelling now at me, my mom and my stepdad and the girls would get close to us . They said he is on drugs but no they tested him and he has no drugs or alcohol in his system , ambulance and police know this. If the guy is not supposed to be parked there, who is really at fault? We also fear retaliation as they did not seem like a good crowd. The lady who saw everything was afraid to recount the story because she is their direct neighbor. We are also not sure how to describe this to our insurance company as he shouldn’t be parked there especially at night . The officer was ok but honestly he did not seem to want to help much except get everyone’s paperwork and go….it seems the rowdy bunch are under their moms insurance and they said they have video of the incident through the ring app. My other question is, can they press charges ? My husband didn’t touch any of them. My husband didn’t want to press charges for the confrontation due to he didn’t want retaliation. I feel lost and don’t know if I should get a lawyer Until this is over. I expected them to get upset but not like what they acted like they were going to fight us and physically put hands on my husband.
Ian Pisarcik says
Jane,
Because the car was parked on the street in violation of the community rules, a court would likely find that they were at least partially at fault. In some states, you can’t recover any damages if you’re partially at fault. In other states, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. I would recommend taking pictures of your vehicle (and they’re vehicle if it can be done safely). Then, contact your insurance company and explain what happened.
As for pressing charges, it doesn’t sound like your husband did anything wrong, so I don’t see how they could press charges.
Colleen says
Backed into a car that she the other driver said she was parked too close
I didn’t even see her pull
Up
I bumped her front bumper when Leaving and waited for her we checked her car there was no damage and went on our way
My concern is this is a
Camp we attend each week
Can she come bk
At me me next week and say there’s damage
That I may not have caused
Ian Pisarcik says
Colleen,
It’s always possible that someone can claim you caused damage to their vehicle even though you didn’t. For this reason, it’s generally advisable to take pictures of both vehicles after even minor accidents (you may still have this option if the owner of the other vehicle returns next week).
Edgar says
Was driving down the street in a 3 lane road (2 for traffic and 1 for parking next to the sidewalk) when the car next to me started merging into my line, I tryed to avoid the accident and steer to my right and ended up hitting a parked car and a tree. The guy who made me hit the other car did notice wht he cause because he stoped about 2 cars away but then just took off fast. However one of tge cars that was comming behind me saw what happen and follow this guy and took pictures of the car and licence plate and brought them back to me when I was talking to the owner of the parked car I had damage after looking and finding him. I exchange information with him but now Im sure I will be found guilty but can I do any legal action against the driver that made me have that accident since he was not paying attention to the road and I have witnesses and his cars info?
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Edgar. Thank you for asking. This sounds like a tricky situation, but I’m glad you’re ok.
From what I can tell, there is a witness who saw the accident happen and has a record of the vehicle’s license plate. If I’m understanding correctly, you did find the owner of the parked car and exchange contact information with him, so that’s helpful, too. That would protect you from being charged with a hit and run. Since this is complicated by the original driver’s apparently having caused the accident and then fled the scene, you should consider contacting a lawyer instead of handling it yourself. Most personal injury attorneys offer an initial consultation at no cost.
Enjuris offers a free Personal Injury Law Firm Directory that can help you find a lawyer near where you live. Your lawyer can explain your legal options, guide you through the process, and work to minimize your liability if that’s possible. They will also be able to work with the insurance company and law enforcement, if need be, to hold the driver who you believe caused the accident responsible. I hope this is able to be resolved to your satisfaction!
Sam says
I just hit a parked car while I was reversing. I panicked and left. Five minutes later I regretted leaving and went back but the car had left the parking lot. I went in to the store to ask if any one reported the situation. No one did. So I left my name and number with the manager from the store. I feel awful. Any advice.
Ian Pisarcik says
Sam,
As you know, you should never leave the scene of an accident. At this point, you just have to make every effort you can to contact the driver. It sounds like you have done this.
Rebecca Stueve says
I side swiped a car pulling out of my apartment complex, I found the driver and he was very cool about it said that it was a company car. He took down all of my information and I was driving on a permit and said he will call my insurance company and talk to him boss and see wht he says it was very little damage done to his car ad my car side mirror was torn all the way off, what should i do?
Ian Pisarcik says
Rebecca,
At this point, you can wait for your insurance company to contact you (they’ll ask for your version of events), or you can contact your insurance company and let them know what happened. In the meantime, you may want to take pictures of your vehicles, just so there’s a record of the damage (or lack thereof) in case the other party tries to claim that the accident was more serious than it was.
Mike says
I was going to grab my lunch and apparently I hit a parked car getting out of my parking spot. I didn’t realize that I’d hit the car, so I drove off (I would have stayed if I’d known)! The police showed up to my work and told me that I had committed a hit and run, so someone reported my license plate. They said that there was no way I couldn’t have known I hit the car. I did hear a noise when I backed out, but it never crossed my mind it was another car because there wasn’t one that seemed close enough, and later, when I checked my bumper, there was no damage (apparently there is some on the side of my car that I didn’t see). The officer claims I should have gotten out of my car and checked, and that I have to go to court for a hit and run. I haven’t seen the other car or talked to the driver, because I had no idea I had even hit them. I don’t know the extent of the damage. I’m freaking out about what’s going to happen, when I truly would have stopped if I thought I’d hit another car. What should I do? What kind of trouble can I get in?
Ian Pisarcik says
Mike,
Hitting a parked car is generally a misdemeanor and usually results in a small fine (usually between $200-$1000). There is the possibility of jail time in most states, though this is rare. As an example, here are the penalties for Arizona. I recommend that you talk to an attorney before your court appearance.
Amy W. says
Hey,
I was backing out a parallel parking space when another car hit me on the side. There is only one way to get out. My car was almost out at the time of the impact, but my insurance company is claiming 50/50 which I am not buying. What can I do if the damage to my car is actually on the side, not on the rear?
Ian Pisarcik says
Amy,
You might consider contacting your insurance company and explaining the situation. Your insurance company has attorneys who can investigate liability and fight the claim.
Jack from PA says
Hello, I recently was backing my truck out of my driveway & backed into my neighbors vehicle, 10-inch scratch & a small dent, no b.s her car is a beat up 93 civic ex and has over several dents all around the car, it’s beat up pretty bad, she said she spoke to her auto body guy and said the damage is $1100.00!!!! The car is worth maybe $300 at best, she wouldn’t show me the quote from the body shop, said I can just give her the cash and she’ll pay him…, sounds kinda shady to me! What should I do??
Ian Pisarcik says
Jack,
I would tell her that you want a second opinion, and then ask her to go to a repair shop of your choosing. I wouldn’t recommend paying any damages without seeing an estimate first. If she makes an insurance claim, she’ll have to provide the estimate.
bree says
A car was parked illegally they was almost all the way in my parking space and when I was backing out I was trying not to hit them .But I scraped there car which resulted in hitting
Ian Pisarcik says
Bree,
Sorry this happened to you. It sounds like the driver of the car may be partially at fault for the accident. Be sure to provide this information to your insurance company so that they reduce the amount they would normally pay the other driver accordingly.
Catie says
I accidentally hit a parked car while pulling into a parking space. I went inside the restaurant to try and find the owner, could not and so I got a pen and paper from the manager to leave a note. When I went back outside however the other car had left. I gave my name and number to the restaurant in case they were to receive a call asking about damage. Is there anything else I should do to try and get in contact?
Ian Pisarcik says
Catie,
It sounds like you’ve done everything you can do at this point. I would recommend taking some photographs of your car (just in case the owner of the damaged car later claims that the accident was more severe than it actually was).
Laura Gibson says
I was in a Van and bumped into a car behind me in the school load and unload zone. There was no damage to the car I bumped into but he was a kid and called his dad. I told dad I took lots of pictures and there were no damages. He wanted me to exchange information because the grill underneath might have been damaged. I told him the Van was too high to do any damage under the car but if that was a concern I would also take pictures under the car which I did, but they didn’t turn out. I gave the son my driver’s license and picked up the kiddos I was responsible for and left. Should I be concerned?
Ian Pisarcik says
Laura,
You did the right thing. If you’re involved in a car accident, you need to exchange information even if you don’t believe there was any damage. I would be sure to take pictures of your vehicle as well, so the other driver can’t later claim the accident was more severe than it really was.
Jim Thompson says
Hi,
Last night I dinged my parents’ car while pulling out of a space. There was no one in the other car. I got out and noticed significant damage to my car but just a few minor scratches to theirs. I waited for a minute but did not leave a note and then simply went home.
I was on a residential side street, and there was no one around. I’m not certain the driver of the other car would have noticed the scratches if he/she didn’t look closely, but still — that’s not the point.
I believe I didn’t do the right thing but am not sure what I should do at this point. Please let me know if you have any advice.
Ian Pisarcik says
Jim,
The law requires that you leave a note on an unoccupied vehicle after an accident. I would return to the scene and leave a note on the car if the vehicle is still there. If the vehicle is not still there, you can try asking people in the area about the car in an effort to track down the owner of the vehicle.
Jeremy says
I hit a parked car in 2017. I saw little damage and drive away . The police tracked me down and arrested me. I had to spend the night in jail, but my best friend BBC aimed me out. The judge wanted to give me a sentence of 30 days in jail or pay a 3500 fine. I settled with the owner for the damage to his paint on his bumper for 315 dollars . The fine turned out to be more than ten times the damage . I learned my lesson but good .
Mary B says
I was parked in a private shopping center lot and when I went in reverse my Camry accelerated and hit a parked car behind me which then that car hit another car – the car that hit the other car was all dented and had mechanical issues and the driver said the “P” parking did not work so she put it in neutral when she left the vehicle and turned the motor off. I had to wait over 40 minutes in the parking lot for the owners of the vehicle to show up. While I was waiting for them I contacted the police who came out and took info from all of us. I contacted an attorney the next day and he said he would take care of it. I just check my information online and it said I had a “criminal offense ” I was awarded 3 points on my drivers license which I thought was awful – I had been a driver with a clean record for 44 years. State Farm raised my insurance by 100% My lawyer said he would take care of this -but I don’t think he did. Question is do you think he screwed up – andw would I have any recourse? The accident happened in 2015 but just found out about this.
Ian Pisarcik says
Without knowing the details of your case, it’s impossible for me to know whether your attorney acted appropriately. If the attorney did not act appropriately, you could file a malpractice lawsuit. I would recommend contacting the disciplinary section of your state bar association and filing a complaint first. The state bar will review the complaint and give you an idea as to whether or not you have a legitimate claim.
Destiny says
Hello me and my bestfriend was coming out of my other friends house and when we got into my car my key wouldn’t turn when I tried to start it I kept trying to turn it but it wouldn’t turned , then the block that we was parked on all the cars was closely parked to eachother and in the mix of me trynna figure out why my car wasn’t cutting on it drifted into the back of a lady truck , but there was no damages , She came out and told us we crashed into her called and that she knew it wasn’t no damages she just wanted to take pics she filed a hit and run , the car was in my boyfriends name and I’m ganna go to the police and tell them it was me in the car and not him but what do u think will happened since my car was parked and wasn’t on and hers was parked and wasn’t on and she wasn’t even in the car she was in her home
Ian Pisarcik says
Destiny,
The law requires you to exchange insurance information (or leave a note) if you hit a vehicle (regardless of whether there is damage). Most states simply have a small fine if you fail to do so.
Because there’s no damage, the woman won’t be able to file a claim for damages (if she does, you’ll be able to contest the claim). At this point, explaining what happened to the police is your best option. Also, take pictures of your vehicle so the woman can’t later claim that the accident was worse than it actually was.
Elizabeth Ritchie says
I accidentally sideswiped someones car when i was backing out of a parkspace. I left a note apologizing and put my name and phone number. What should i do now?
Ian Pisarcik says
Elizabeth,
You’ve done everything that you legally need to do at this point. I would take some pictures of your car so the owner of the car you hit can’t later claim that the accident was worse than it really was.
angela molina says
my car was park when my husband was living to work he saw something wrong with the car it was just hit by a firetruck didn’t bother to stop and see the damages they did to my car people around the area have past the video my husband and to me were it shows how my car was left in this case I did my police report and call my car insurance to do the claim but the insurance is not helping a lot what can I do in this case
Ian Pisarcik says
Angela,
Based on your message, it’s unclear why your insurance company isn’t helping with your claim. If you believe you have a valid claim and your insurance company isn’t honoring the claim, you’ll need to hire an attorney to file a bad faith insurance claim. Most attorneys will provide a free initial consultation in which they can advise you as to whether this is the route you should take.
Sam says
It was dark at night and raining with condensation at the edges of my windshield when I drove my car past a minivan to my right in a parking lot, leaving a few scratches near and over a portion of the left rear tire and on a bit of the car paint behind the tire. My car had it worse, with the right forward bumper cracked and dented with scratches. The driver got out, and I gave her my insurance number and license. We both took photos of the accident, exchanged numbers, and she left, saying she will contact my insurance. What should I do and what should I expect? I have never gotten into a collision before and worried about how this will affect my premiums.
Lisa says
Hello, I crashed it to a vehicle while trying to park. I first drove off in a panic. I First came back to see if I left any damages which there was, however I wasn’t sure if I had done it. I then left again to find out what I should do. When I returned again I left a note but only with my insurance information and name. What else should I have done the car hasn’t moved nor had the person returned.
Ian Pisarcik says
Lisa,
The law simply requires you to leave a note with your name, contact information, and insurance information. If I were you, I would also take photographs of their car and your car so the owner of the car can’t later claim that you caused more damages than you actually caused.
Erica says
I bumped a car pulling into a parking spot today, totally my mistake. I immediately pulled through and parked in a different spot just because I knew I should wait for the other driver. I waited for a while and no one came out. So I went and looked at the car and there was no visible damage. I went inside asked if anyone knew whose car it was, and no one did. I wrote a note but when I went back out the driver was in the car. I explained what happened and she said that since there wasn’t any damage to her car (I even got under and looked at it) she didn’t care, and didn’t want my insurance info. She left because she said she was running late for something else already. Could I still get in trouble? I did try to give her my info and such
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Erica. I applaud you for being so diligent in trying to track down the car’s owner. That was the right thing to do!
Ohio and Nevada require that every crash must be reported to the police or DMV. In other states, you need to report a crash if there’s property damage or personal injury. Since you ultimately did speak with the owner of the car and she agreed that there was no property damage, that’s a good thing. The key is that you did speak with the owner; what makes an accident a hit-and-run is when you leave the scene without making contact with the owner.
If you’re still concerned, please feel free to use the Enjuris lawyer directory to find an attorney in your area who can advise you of your options.
Justin says
My neighbor hit my car early morning 6:10 am. Luckily, another neighbor’s CCTV recorded everything.
Can I ask a copy of the video for policy and court?
Is there any legal issue for my neighbor who gave me a copy of CCTV against hit and run driver?
Ian Pisarcik says
Justin,
I don’t see why there would be any legal issues based on your neighbor providing you a copy of the tape. The tape will likely be admissible in court as well. When you meet with an attorney in your area, bring along a copy of the tape.
Faviola says
So I hit a parked car left a note and everything. I didn’t hear back from the person until two days later. She told me she would take in the rental to a friends shop to see if he could buff it out. Said scratches are too deep to be buffed out. She suggested I wait to report to my insurance until she returns her car this Monday. I only waited in hopes her friend could fix it. Wouldn’t it be in my best interest to just report it. I’m not sure why she would want me to wait until she returns it?
Thank you for any advice. I’m leaning on just reporting it.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for commenting.
She probably just wants you to wait to report the claim out of fear that your insurance company will contact the rental company before she returns the vehicle. It’s generally in your best interest to report the accident as soon as possible (so long as you don’t prefer to just pay out of pocket). That way, the owner of the damaged vehicle can’t claim that you caused later damage that you didn’t actually cause.
Jen says
I had a newborn who had a drs appointment at the main hospital. Which had a surgery complication. When I turned into the parking spot I hit another car. I couldn’t get out of my car because of how the car was parked on my drivers side. So I moved my car into a different part of the parking lot because the smaller lot didn’t have anywhere else to park. I took my son up to his appointment since he was already in the er 3 times that week for the complication from his surgery. I went to security after the appointment. I gave them my drivers license my insurance info & contact info. I asked them if I needed to make a police report for it. They told me no that there was a report filed with through the hospital already. I got a letter in the mail saying there was a complaint filed against me from that local police department for basically hit& run. But I never left the hospital I parked in another spot further down because there wasn’t any in the tiny lot by the doors, my car was still near theirs and visible. But never left the property. How should I go about this? I wouldn’t have moved my car if I could get out of my car but I hit the other car trying not to get to close to the car on my driver side. Is it still considered hit& run?
Erick says
Hi I recently backed into a car that was parked in a fire lane red curb at my apartments I panicked went to my apartment got paper and pen went back to leve a note and waited for the owner about 30 minutes from incident nothing I leave and go back around hour and 15 minutes after incident and still nothing about an hour and a half later the drive calls me i go back out there and gave my insurance info he ask what happened I told him I was backing out didn’t see the car parked there I have pictures of the car parked in red and the damage and another picture a hour after I took my first picture to show the was still parked illegally for long period of time what do I do know
Ian Pisarcik says
Eric,
It’s not clear whether he will file an insurance claim or not. Because he was parked in a fire lane, he might be partially at fault for the accident. If he files a claim, be sure to let your insurance company know that he was parked in a fire lane and that you have pictures.
Exhausted says
I bumped a co-worker car while backing out of a parking space. The other 2 passengers got out with me and we only noticef a rubber line (buffable) above their taillight. We didn’t see any other damage. When we got back from lunch I told my co worker what happened. We both went out and looked at her car. I showed her the rubber line. She then found a gouge in her rubber bumper around the side of the car and 2 feet down. I didnt think twice about it as that wasnt where the contact took place (to the best of my knowledge and the witnesses). She took her car into the shop and the estimate is $1,500.00 US. I asked for a second estimate which she is getting. I explained I don’t think I could have done that damage as I bumped her on the corner not the side, she believes I created the side damage as well.
I have asked her if she could send pictures, which I hope she does. I will pay for damage I caused but not damage that may have been pre-existing. She said she never noticed the side damage previously so I do t blame her for assuming it’s all from the same incident.
My two witness agree/believe that I did not hit the side of her car, we didn’t even noticed the side.
What is most upsetting to me is my integrity is being questioned, that I’m try to get out of something. I’m not. I want to see the picture of the gouge..if it’s heading towards the front than yes, I could have caused it and I’ll refund her. But if the direction of the scrape is heading towards the back of the vehicle I couldn’t have done it. The was no hooking of bumpers, no bending no noise and nothing on my vehicle that sticks out e.g. tail pipe
Ellie says
I hit a parked car the other night. I was told by family it was fine to leave since there was no damage. But I feel guilty and haven’t stopped thinking about it and want to find the owner. I was thinking of going back to the store where it happened and asking if I can view camera footage if they have anything or calling the police.
But I’m scared. What will happen? What if I don’t find the owner. I didn’t take note of their plate number or the type of car it was. Maybe also find an attorney. I don’t know I’m 20 years old and a new driver and I panicked.
Ian Pisarcik says
Ellie,
If you hit a vehicle and didn’t stop to provide information, you’re guilty of a hit-and-run. In most states, this results in a small fine (assuming no one was injured). Because the vehicle is no longer there, your only recourse is to contact the local police station and give them (1) your contact information, and (2) the approximate address of the accident.
Cindy says
I hit a car that was parked on the side of the road by my house I only noticed because my side mirror closed but I didn’t know exactly which car I hit so I just kept driving home. After half an hour I drove by again but I didn’t see any cars with any scratches or dents close to where I think I hit the car and my side mirror doesn’t have anything as well what should I do I don’t even know which car it was?
Ian Pisarcik says
Cindy,
If you don’t know what car you hit, you need to contact the local police and give them (a) your contact information, and (b) the approximate address where the accident occurred.
Sophie says
I’m 19 years old without a license and I was driving my dad’s car and I accidentally backed up the car on the school campus. I panicked and fled the scene. I went back that same week to try to find them and confess but sadly I wasn’t successful. Their insurance company was sending my father information but they investigated and learned I was driving the vehicle. What do I do now? I’m terrified.
Ian Pisarcik says
Sophie,
The insurance policy isn’t likely to cover you since you don’t have a license. As a result, you’ll be responsible for paying any damages that you caused.
Parker says
i hit a parked car at night in neighborhood with HOA no parking on street. I left and went back next day. Said i would pay for damages. They were nice and agreed. will my insurance pay for my damages to my car? There was a report they filed but said they would not go back to police. how to report my damage without police report? NC
Ian Pisarcik says
Parker,
You don’t need a police report to file an insurance claim. Be sure to tell your insurance company that there was an HOA prohibiting vehicles from being parked on the street. The other car might be partially responsible for the accident due to violating this HOA covenant.
Oleeta says
Another car and I backed into each other in a parking lot. I wasn’t even really sure we’d hit. It was so minor. I didn’t see where the other car went and no one got out of the car to look at anything. So I left. There was no damage to my car. Am I liable for anything and should I report it?
Ian Pisarcik says
Oleeta,
Some states require that you report a car accident if the accident results in injury or a certain amount of damages (usually more than $1,000). It sounds like there weren’t any damages. It also sounds like the other vehicle left (preventing you from stopping and exchanging information). As such, there’s probably nothing you can or should do at this point.
Oleeta says
Thank you! It all happened so fast. Felt more like I hit a pot hole or there was a small earthquake. No damages. The other car may have just pulled back in their parking space, but I didn’t see where and no one got out. I thought that was a little weird. It made me feel unsafe and that too prompted my leaving. Thanks again for your quick reply.
Ian Pisarcik says
No problem. Thanks for your comment.
Cheryl says
I was pulling into a parking lot at and accidentally hit unattended car. No dents just paint runoff on my car and the car I hit scraped paint or rub-off. I did not have pen and paper to leave a note or anyone nearby to ask. This happened in a church parking lot with very few cars. I left however this is bothering me. What do I do?
Ian Pisarcik says
Cheryl,
All you can do at this point is attempt to track down the owner of the vehicle. Because this happened in a church parking lot, I would recommend posting a flyer on the church bulletin board. The church may even be willing to make an announcement for you. Good luck.
Josh Walker says
Hi, I live in the uk and I was reversing into a car parking space, the driver of the car behind claims that i touched his car, even though don’t think i did. He took my details so i took his, and i took photos showing no damage. What should i do next?
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for the comment, Josh. Unfortunately, Enjuris is a site run by lawyers licensed in the United States to practice law in the United States. If you’re in the United Kingdom, I would recommend reaching out to an attorney in your area.
Riley says
I don’t even know where to begin.. I’m a pretty new driver. I’ve never gotten in an accident so I don’t even know how to go about this. I live in Georgia, if that helps with advice.. A month ago, I was driving my boyfriends card and I was pulling into a starbucks park lot. I’m not so used to driving his car yet. I guess i made a wife then and swiped a car next to me. I was panicking but I still went inside to look for the owner. I found him and I told him I was sorry. *admitted fault* He asked if I had insurance. I told him I did, but this is my boyfriends car. I don’t know where he leaves his stuff. The guy said that he didn’t want to go through insurance and get them involved.. and I, stupidly, agreed to it. But he took a picture of my drivers license and my boyfriends licenses plate. He got my phone number and I got his. I’m still panicking at this point because it wasn’t my car, and I forgot to take a picture of his driver’s license and his tag. So I have no information on his car, just that it’s a black toyota truck. Three weeks later he texted me with a picture of an estimate of repair and it’s $600! I don’t have $600 to give out. I told him that I would just file a claim through insurance. and he said that’s fine. I asked for his information and he wouldn’t send it.. He then sent me a text and told me that he found someone to fix it for $250.. I told him that I should just file a
claim through insurance. because I don’t have $250 either and because it wasn’t even my car.. And now he’s demanded $250 cash.. What can I do? I’m panicking and I’m stressing out.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Riley. I’m so sorry this happened and that you’re so upset and stressed by it. Driving a car is a big responsibility, and everyone gets into a scrape on occasion.
You did the right thing by going inside, locating the owner of the truck, and providing him with your information. Yes, you should’ve gotten his, too. Because it was three weeks ago, your insurance company might no longer accept a claim. Many insurers have specific time limits for how long you have to make a report of a collision (and often it’s within a few days). Also, even if you do file an insurance claim, you might need to pay a deductible and that could be more than the $250 he claims you owe.
You and your boyfriend might want to try to come up with the money for the repair — you did admit fault, and this person is entitled to payment for his damages. Remember this: You never have to avoid reporting to your insurance company just because the other driver wants you to. He might have some reason why he didn’t want the claim to go through insurance, but that’s not your concern. Your concern is protecting your own well-being. You can (and probably should) make a report to your insurance company, whether the other driver agrees or not. It’s also a good idea to get a police report after any collision, no matter how small.
At this point, you might have no choice but to pay for his repairs. If you don’t, he might file a small claims action against you. Any court action will end up taking time and money, so it’s best to avoid legal action however you can. If you do pay him the cash, be sure to have a signed receipt in which he acknowledges that you’ve paid him in full for the repairs to his vehicle. That way, he can’t make a further claim that you owe him more money. Best of luck to you.
Ed says
Someone hit my car. I live in illinois but have to go to Pleasent Praire, Wisconsin for my job. When I got home I didn’t realize until I got home but someone hit the back end of my car while I was at work. I honestly don’t know what to do. File a police report in Pleasent Prairie? I don’t know who hit me and I don’t know if there were cameras there. I don’t think there where any. I’m so confused.
Ian Pisarcik says
Ed,
It sounds like someone hit your car and failed to leave a note with their contact information. Your insurance may have uninsured motorist coverage (which would pay for your damages in this situation). Accordingly, your first step should be to contact your insurance company and explain what happened. If for some reason your insurer doesn’t offer coverage and the damages were significant, you may want to reach out to an attorney to help you investigate the accident. The attorney can look for security footage, interview others who work in the building, etc.
Patrick says
Hello! I had a bit of road rage with someone cause they were driving well under the speed limit. When he turned left at a stop sign I veered to the right a bit and didn’t get back fully and hit a parked car at about 25mph and did a lot of damage to mine and the parked car. My truck was un drivable bit was luck to put it in a spot right by the car I hit. A man came out and said he knows the owner of car I hit and she was going to leave work to go to the car. I gave my driver’s license and insurance to the man and then left shortly thereafter since a person not involved called the cops and I’m not good with cops. The cops called me and went to my house looking for me. On the phone they said they need me to do a police report but I wasn’t in trouble. Was the cop lying to me and wanted me to trick me into turning myself in? I gave the person all my info and I’m taking care of it with the insurance company I’m just curious if this can turn out bad. They also towed my truck cause the police said it was sticking out too much.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Patrick. The laws for this situation might be different depending on what state you’re in. You mentioned that you did leave your information with a person at the scene, but that person wasn’t the car owner. If this kind of situation arises again, though, it would be wise to call the police to make a report while you’re still at the scene of the collision. In some states, it’s sufficient to leave your information for the owner and in others, you must report to the police to avoid a hit and run charge. If you’re concerned about admitting fault, you should consult an attorney. A lawyer will look at the evidence, including any reports made to the police, and can advise you as to what you need to do next. Best of luck.
Bonnie says
My friend hit a parked car in the parking lot in California. No one was injured but there was a very slight damage to the other car. My friend got panicked and drove off and came back later with a note with the insurance information and contact number. The other party had already left but filed a police report. My friend talked to the police and they put my friend as driver and not suspect in the police report. My friend shared insurance information with the police to provide to the other party. Are there any implications (hit and run, court case) if my friend is listed as a driver and not suspect in the police report. Does my friend need a lawyer in this case? Thank you!
Ian Pisarcik says
Bonnie,
In all likelihood, if the police were planning on issuing a citation for a hit-and-run, they would have done so when your friend contacted the police. At this point, the other driver will probably file an insurance claim with your friend’s insurer and it will be treated like any other car accident.
Nevertheless, you can learn more bout hit-and-run accidents in California here: https://www.enjuris.com/california/car-accident/hit-and-run/
Bonnie says
Thank you…what is the difference if at fault driver is reported as driver and not suspect in the police report. If reported as driver in police report, will it be treated like any other car accident. Thank you so much!
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Bonnie. A police report is designed to be a document that outlines the evidence, or facts, of the incident. It should include information about each involved person, the damage to each vehicle or other property, and other facts (weather conditions, traffic signals, and other factors that might be relevant) pertaining to the crash. If you suspect that a police report includes misinformation, you should consult with your lawyer to see what your options are. The Enjuris law firm directory can help you find a lawyer near you who can help.
Sue says
I scratched a car in a parking lot. I had to move to find a place to park and leave informati0n. When I came back the car was gone. This has been wieghing on me all day. IT happened early this morning and its now 12 hours later and I still don’t know what to do. any advice?
Ian Pisarcik says
Sue,
Your obligation is to stop at or near the scene and leave your contact information. It sounds like you attempted to do that. In some states, if you are unable to locate the vehicle you hit, you’re required to call the local police department and give them your contact information and the address of the accident. Other than that, you could leave your information with someone who works in the building where the parking lot was located.
Natalia says
I do not have license. I hit a car in parking lot. That car has no damage just license plate band. There was an eye witness. I was panicked. I tried to find other party but couldn’t. So I left with my friend. What should I do? I am panick.
Ian Pisarcik says
Natalia,
If the car is still in the parking lot, you should leave a note with your contact information. If the car is not still in the parking lot, you can contact the local police office and explain what happened. The police will want to know (a) your contact information, and (b) the location of the accident.
Daksh Tirthani says
I had hit a car parked at road. My break was damaged and my foot and nails were also injured. I contacted owner and said sorry but he was fearing me and then he said to provide phone number of parents. I refused to give and provided my phone number. He is calling me again and again and asking for money but I doesn’t have enough money to give.
Please tell me that what i should do.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Daksh. I’m sorry to say this, but you do have a responsibility to provide your contact and insurance information to another driver if you hit their car (especially a parked car). Refusal to provide this information could result in a hit-and-run charge. If you’re a minor, you’d need to provide your parents’ information, along with their insurance policy number. Some states also require a police or DMV report, especially since you suffered an injury and there was damage to one or both vehicles. These requirements differ by state, but here’s a breakdown of what’s required where you live.
You should seek the advice of a lawyer. There are attorneys who work pro bono (at no cost) under certain circumstances. You can find one by contacting your state or county bar association. If you’re a minor, you probably also should let your parents know what happened because if the car owner has your license plate or other information, it will likely come back to them if they own the car you were driving. Best of luck.
TS says
I was parking in a lot today and got out after parking and a lady came out saying i hit her her car and i said i did not. i went into the store and came out to her taking pictures of my plate and me. i pulled out and left. if i did hit her car, it was nothing more than a tap, what should i do?
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for commenting.
If you’re sure you didn’t hit her car, then you don’t need to report the accident to the police or your insurance company. Be aware that she may file a lawsuit or an insurance claim if she believes you hit her car. For that reason, I would strongly recommend taking lots of time-stamped pictures of your vehicle so that she can’t later claim you caused more damage than you actually did.
AB says
I hit a car in a parking lot yesterday and stupidly left the scene without leaving a note. I think there was likely damage to the other car but I’m not sure. What should I do now? I have insurance but no way to find out the other driver at this point. I remember the model and color of the other car. I’m terrified of being arrested and charged with a hit and run. I have insurance but I’m not sure what to do. Should I call the police in the jurisdiction where it happened? Will they cite me even without the other car? I know it was stupid and the anxiety is killing me.
Ian Pisarcik says
The law requires you to contact the police in the jurisdiction where the accident happened and report it. In some jurisdictions, there’s no hit-and-run citation if you report the accident soon enough. In other jurisdictions, you’ll face a possible citation.
Jonathan Depena says
Hello hit a parked car and left ,came back in the morning and pay the person for the damage but he filed a police report….what to do
Ian Pisarcik says
Jonathan,
If you hit a car and fail to leave a note, you need to call the police department where the accident occurred and report the accident.
Michelle Ann says
I was leaving my house and I’m parked on a hill. I parked behind my boyfriends car, and my roommate always parked their car so close behind me to where sometimes I couldn’t get out without asking them to back up. It was dark and rainy out, so I couldn’t see out of my rearview mirror.y roommates car was parked too close and I hit their car. They have tiny scratched on their headlight and my car got the most damage with a dent and scratches on the rear of it. I told them that they parked too close and nobody called and reported it that night. She’s now asking me for my VIN number. Who is at fault? Can I get in trouble even though nobody reported it that night or took pics? It happened back in December. My car got the most damage and their car barely has a few scratches on the headlight. What should I do?
Ian Pisarcik says
Michelle,
If you hit another car, the owner of that car has a right to file an insurance claim with your insurance company regardless of whether any action was taken the night of the accident. It sounds like the damages are minor and, therefore, it might be in your interest to pay for the damages out of pocket if you’re worried about your insurance premiums going up.
Hailie says
I thought i might of hit a parked car but i was scared so i left. Im really scared because i dont have a license. i was pulling the car around for my friend by myself. I thought everybody was fine but now theirs a cop and it happened almost a month ago so i forgot originally and said nope not me didnt happen. now i remember what happened and im scared to admit it because everyone is angry and my friend will get their car taken back by their parents (we are over 18 by the way) and im afraid of being arrested for it cause on top of it all i only have a permit. Also accidentally admitted to being their and pulling the car up around the time.
Ian Pisarcik says
Hailie,
You won’t be arrested for causing property damage and fleeing the scene (assuming no one was seriously injured). Rather, you will have to pay for the damages and you may have to pay an additional fine.
Cody Richard says
Please do not hit and run. That’s the worst thing that one could do. Please refrain from doing that. You don’t know how helpless one can be in such situations.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for the comment, Cody.
Tiffany says
I backed up out of a parking spot and hit the front end of a car parked behind the spot on the side of the road. I didn’t notice the car when I was getting in and I was parked right next to a garbage bin which the body of the car was in front of so only the front end was sticking out behind my car and so I could not see it in my mirrors. The car wasn’t in a parking spot but on the side of the road and since he was blocking my car in which was in a parking spot I’m pretty sure he was parked illegally. My car was fine but his car has a scratch and crack on the bumper under his lights. Am I still at fault?
Ian Pisarcik says
Tiffany,
If the car was illegally parked (and I don’t have enough information to know whether he was), then he is at least partially at fault for the accident. Be sure to tell your insurance company that you believe he was illegally parked. If you have pictures of the spot where he was parked, that will be useful to provide to your insurance company.
Cathy says
Hello-
I dented the bumper of another car in the parking garage on my way to work. I didn’t have the means to leave a note and there weren’t any whitnessea around – I freaked out a little and forgot to take pictures of the licence number, and they were gone when I came out from my shift. I did contact my employer’s security officers and left my info with them in case anyone reported. Is this a “reasonable attempt”?
Ian Pisarcik says
Cathy,
In most states, if you hit a vehicle and are unable to exchange information with the driver (for whatever reason), you’re required to contact the nearest police station and report the accident. This would include providing the location of the accident as well as a description of the vehicle (if you have one).
Mandy says
I was leaving a parking lot and I accidentally scratched the driver’s side rear bumper of the car behind me. The vehical was un attended and I had ni means of leaving a notel. This is my first ever doing that so I panicked and took off. There’s two small scratches on my bumper. I called the police and explained what happened, they said they received no calls about it and not to worry. I’m worried none the less. Any advice? Should I call them again and ask if they had any calls? I feel like such a fool!
Ian Pisarcik says
Mandy,
You did the right thing by contacting the police after hitting an unattended vehicle. I don’t think there’s any need to continue to call the police to check in. If the driver of the unattended vehicle calls the police, the police (or the driver) will contact you. For now, there’s nothing else to do. I would, however, recommend taking photographs of your vehicle. That way, the driver of the unattended vehicle can’t later claim that you caused more damage than you actually did.
Joy says
Yesterday i was backing up, and i was very close when i realized there’s a parked vehicle so i made a hard break and i felt my body moved, now i didn’t know if i hit the car or the impact of the break that i felt, but i just left and went home, , this morning i was thinking what if i hit that car, i checked my car but i didn’t see any dent marks, but i am so bothered what will i gonna do?should i report to the police?what will happen next?
Ian Pisarcik says
Joy,
In most states, if you hit an unoccupied vehicle and leave the scene, you’re required to call the local police and provide information about the accident (where it happened, the vehicle involved, your contact information). This way, if the owner of the unoccupied vehicle sees damage, they can call the local police, report the accident, and receive your contact information to file an insurance claim.
Russ says
I hit a parked car when leaving a friends house, it was dark and didn’t realize how close I was to it. I was extremely tired and was going home when I left to sleep. I sideswiped it and didn’t think I cause significant damage so I decided to go home and return the next day to apologize and exchange insurances. Mainly because it happened late and I could barely keep my eyes open. Also I had no means to leave a note. But hours later the police tracked me down to my house when I was asleep to write me a ticket for failure to control and hit and skip. I live in Cleveland Ohio.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Russ. I think you’re going to have to take the heat on this. Being tired really isn’t considered an excuse for a hit and run. It’s good that you’re willing to apologize and provide your insurance information, but you could be charged with a hit and run.
Here’s more on how Ohio handles hit and run accidents: https://www.enjuris.com/ohio/car-accident/hit-and-run/. In Ohio, a hit and run with no injuries could be a 1st degree misdemeanor, punishable with 6-month minimum license suspension, up to $1,000 fine, and up to 6 months jail time.
As an aside, if you were too tired to handle the situation (and if tiredness caused you to have the accident in the first place), you probably shouldn’t be driving. You can be a danger to yourself or others. Please read this information about drowsy driving — it’s just as dangerous as driving drunk!
You might be able to have your lawyer negotiate some of these penalties. Please call a criminal defense attorney right away and share the facts of the situation; they will advise you as to how to proceed.
Danielle says
I hit a car backing up after work, it was a super tight space and there was a truck pulled up kind of close behind me so I was pretty crowded. I nicked the back right bumper. I got freaked out since that’s the first time I’ve ever hit anybody, left a small scratch on the car and no damage to mine. I don’t know whose car it is but there were two other people there when it happened, they said it’s probably fine so I left, now I’m feeling really stressed and I don’t know what to do!! I know I shouldn’t have left but I was so freaked out. I’m scared the owner of the car will notice, what should I do? Can I go to jail for this?
Ian Pisarcik says
Danielle,
You won’t go to jail for hitting a parked car and leaving without stopping. Jail time is only a possibility if you seriously injured someone and failed to stop.
In most states, the law requires you to call the local police and report the accident if you failed to stop and leave a note.
Lala says
My 17 yr old son hit a parked car with no one in it on private property. He panicked and left the scene and came home and told me about it. We weren’t able to go back right away cus I was working and he was too upset to drive. When we did go back to the scene the car was still there and the owner was there with a witness and the police. We told them what happened and the officer said he wouldn’t take a police report because it was private property and He didn’t cite any tickets for my son leaving the scene. I gave the lady whose car he hit my insurance information name and phone number and left. She told me Later that she gave a statement to the police before we returned. My question is…if she or the witness tells the insurance adjuster that my 17 yr old son left the scene before returning will the insurance drop him? I realize the rates are going to go up but I’m worried about the other car giving the details that he left first and returned later. How should I handle this? I dont want my son to lose his insurance and not be able to drive!! Please help!
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Lala. How your insurance company handles this will depend on the terms of your policy. I realize your son is only 17, a new driver, and was afraid of what was happening, but do let him know that in the future, leaving the scene of an accident (even a very minor one) causes a lot more problems than it solves and that it could result in his being charged with a hit and run. You should call your insurance company and report the accident right away because sometimes they have time frames in which they require you to report or they might not cover the claim. Chances are your insurance company won’t drop your son for one accident unless they consider him “high risk” or if the accident was the result of his driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
L. Sa. says
Hi, I have a quick question. This morning I accidentally backed out & my rear view mirror slightly scratched the bumped of a large car parked next to me. My car is okay, the other car has a slight scratch it’s about a level 1-2 and I wiped off the dust with my finger, the only thing that even appears on the photos is a small white residue it looks more like maybe some dirt? My insurance says if this does not exceed 1,000 my insurance won’t go up. Does anyone know approximately how much can this scratch job cost /if my insurance is likely to go up?. (The lady said she’s going to her car dealership I know THAT raises the price)
Melissa Gold says
Hi, L. I’m not a body shop professional or mechanic, so I can’t suggest a cost for this damage. Also, there are several factors that would affect costs — for example, average costs in the city where you live, the specific dealership she visits, etc. Your insurance can require that the driver get a quote from a body shop that’s on the insurance company’s “approved” list. She can have the repair work performed anywhere she wants (if she feels most comfortable with the dealership, that’s her choice), but the insurance company can agree to pay for damage up to the amount quoted by their approved repair center. Again, I can’t guess how much a scratch would cost. I hope you’re able to resolve it swiftly.
Marge says
I hit a parked car today and the person was it it. There was no damage and we have both gone on our way without exchanging information because the person said it was fine. My question is, if that person went back to obtain security footage (even thought there was no damage), could they claim that I caused damage that might have happened afterwards? Now I just feel worried that they’ll track me down and pin me for something I didn’t do.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Marge. It depends. In some states, you’re required to file a report with the DMV after an accident if there’s a certain amount of damage (and in Ohio, you’re required to report any accident, even if there was no damage at all). It’s always a good idea to get a police report, even if you believe there’s no damage, because it can protect you from being accused of damage later. If there is security footage of the collision, the driver would need to find you (which would be simple if your license plate number is showing on the video), but would also need to prove that the damage was the result of the collision shown on the video. It’s not inconceivable, but it seems unlikely that if there was no visible damage and you didn’t exchange information, the person would then change their mind and make a successful claim against you.
CINDY JOHNSTON says
I hit a parked car in Walmart parking lot and didn’t realize it until my insurance contacted me stating the police got my information from surveillance video. Will they still issue a ticket or arrest me if the insurance pays for damages?
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Cindy. Unfortunately, the answer is… that depends. Ordinarily, any collision where the driver leaves the scene is considered a hit-and-run. However, one defense to a hit-and-run charge is when the defendant can make a successful argument that they genuinely didn’t know that they hit something. Hopefully, the damage is minimal since you weren’t aware that you hit the parked car. If you are charged with a hit-and-run collision, you should find a lawyer who can help to defend your position. Best of luck.
Celeste says
I scratched a parked car today and my work, left to write a note, came back to put it on the car and the car owner was already there when I had gotten back (15 mins later). She didn’t even notice that I had scratched it until I pointed it out, but there is no dent on her car, just scratches. We traded info. What will happen from there? What will happen to my insurance? Will my payments increase? Also, what do I have to do? I’ve never done this before so I am not sure if I need to call my insurance and tell them or?
*I pulled into the parking lot and I didn’t really see how close her car was to my section and scratched it up. No dents.*
Bernard says
I hit a van when I was parallel parking, I went out of the can and there was absolutely nothing no damage. However the owner of the van noticed and approached me after a few hours (we are neighbors) and said his reverse is slipping because the hit. In all my years of knowing cars, this is something I never heard. I refuse to exchange insurance papers. What do u=you think please.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Bernard. I think it would be wise to exchange insurance information, regardless of whether you believe there was damage. Remember, part of your insurance company’s responsibility to you as an insured is to indemnify (defend) you against another person’s charges of liability. If their insurance company makes a claim against you, your insurance company has a duty to try to prevent you from being held liable (or only being liable for the amount of damage you caused). Even if the other driver claims that the collision caused a mechanical problem, your insurance company should have an approved mechanic evaluate the car for another opinion (for example, if that’s even the type of issue that can be caused by a collision).
Either way, if you refuse to exchange information, the driver could blame you for a hit-and-run because you left the scene without reporting it. That can cause you far more trouble than allowing your insurance to handle the repair (if there is one). Again, my suggestion is to cooperate and allow your insurance to handle it. If you need additional help, you’re welcome to use the Enjuris law firm directory to find a lawyer who can assist further.
Jamie says
Hi I I started driving to work and I only been driving for like 2 weeks. I tried to park and I accidentally hit a car. I was so scared I was praying to god to help me. So I backed up and park somewhere else so I won’t looks suspicious. Omg I was freaking out. I also left a dent . So a few days later I got back from work and my manger asked me if I hit a car and I said “what?” And then she didn’t ask again. I’m so scared right now cus I have no driver linces yet but I’m 16. And I’m scared because of my dad. I’m so scared of my parents . I don’t know what to do anymore.
RG says
I bumped into a parked car at a park as I was backing out. There were no lines in the lot so gauging distance was kind of difficult and my car is a little bigger (SUV). My panic did not begin till I noticed a couple in another car several yards away filming me with their phones. I lingered for a minute or two hoping that the owner would walk up, then I did the stupid thing and left without leaving a note (I was panicked by this point). The cops met me at my house and got my insurance, license, etc. They said to expect a call that evening if anything else was needed, but no call came. They claimed that the other driver found no damage, but I’m still extremely worried. It has been several days now and I’m sick to my stomach thinking about it. What happens next?
Ian Pisarcik says
In most states, the police could give you a citation for committing a “hit and run.” However, the fact that the police did not give you a citation when they went to your home means you probably won’t receive one. If there was no damage to the other vehicle, then you shouldn’t expect a claim against your insurance. Just to be safe, I would take some photographs of your car in case the other driver later claims that there was significant damage. In addition, it wouldn’t hurt to get the name of the police officer who told you the driver found no damage.
Raim says
I’m a passenger to my friend’s motorcycle. It was a busy street and she hit a parked car along the busy street. It made a long thin scratch to the driver’s door. But the driver at-fault leave because she freaked out. I never heard of her since and wether the owner filed a compliant against her. My questions is am I liable from that accident (I’m a passenger) or only the fault of the driver and the authority will tracked that vehicle? Thanks
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Raim. You don’t have liability for an accident if you were the passenger. However, there’s a possibility that you might be called as a witness if the victim chooses to sue or if the driver is charged with a hit-and-run.
Frankie says
I just bumped into a car as I was reversing to park, the man saw exited his house, checked the bumper and said it was okay. We didn’t exchange any information what so ever and there is absolutely no damage what so ever, he went back into his house as it seems like everything is fine, can he still do something about this? No information exchanged, no cops just a “it’s okay watch what your doing”
Ian Pisarcik says
Frankie,
The man can file a lawsuit (or make an insurance claim) up to 2-3 years after the accident (depending on the statute of limitations in your state). So, if the man later discovers that there was in fact damage to his car, he could file an insurance claim or lawsuit. However, it sounds like this is unlikely given that he examined the car.
I would recommend taking time-stamped photographs of your vehicle (and even the vehicle you hit if it’s easy enough to do so), just in case the man later claims that you caused damage that you didn’t actually cause.
SALLY says
I hit a car at a restaurant parking lot. It was dark and raining . I got out to see the damage. The car was not even in a proper parking space. I wrote a note but since it was parked illegally I just left. Figured it was his fault for parking where he shouldn’t which was directly behind my car. What should I do now ?
Ian Pisarcik says
Sally,
In almost all states, the law requires you to either leave a note on the unoccupied vehicle. If you are unable or fail to do so, the law requires you to call the local police station and report the accident. This is true regardless of who is at fault for the accident. While you may not be completely at fault for hitting a vehicle that was parked illegally, you are most likely partially at fault under the law.
Trevor says
Hello,
Today as i was pulling out of my girlfriends house on a dead end road i hit a car parked in front of her house. Her neighbors always park in front of her house and we ask them not too. I did a minor scratch today and saw it but did not get out of my car and drove away unaware of the true magnitude of the situation. What do i do?
Thanks.
Trevor says
Additionally the car is not under my name i am only on the insurance
Ian Pisarcik says
So long as the neighbors were parked legally (even if you asked them not to park there), then the neighbors are probably not at fault for the accident. The law requires you to leave a note at the scene with your contact information. If you are unable to leave a note, the law requires that you track down the owner of the vehicle or call the local police and report the accident.
Steve says
I was looking to park. Saw a space where a van was backed into with a utility trailer attached to it. The trailer was half or less in the space behind the van. My car is somewhat small so I tried to park in the rest of the space. As I was inching in I bumped the trailer. I stupidly backed out and left. There was no one in the van.. Any thoughts?
Ian Pisarcik says
Steve,
In California, a person commits a hit-and-run if they hit an unoccupied vehicle and fail to leave a note at the scene with their information. If you failed to (or were unable) to leave a note, you should file an accident report with the local police department.
You can learn more about hit-and-run accidents in California here.
Okuse Marvellous says
Thank you, I have recently been searching for info about this subject for a while and yours is the best I’ve came upon so far. But, what about the conclusion? Thanks once more for sharing this content with us all today although the content is not new but it has a lot. I wish you can remake this content to make it a recent topic.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Okuse. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Enjuris content is regularly updated to ensure that it includes the most current and useful legal information. Unfortunately, the outcome in any claim will depend on the specifics of the case and the facts of the incident. You could also look at some information about hit-and-run accidents, which sometimes involve parked cars. Again, thank you for commenting and we hope you’ll continue to find the information helpful.
Jennifer says
Hi! So i hit a parked car around 8:30pm so it was dark. There is no damage to my car, and I just didn’t see it when I was backing up. I was lost and trying to figure out how to get back home after the gym. I made a wrk turn, tried to figure out my way home and my phone was dead with no charger. I panicked and left the scene. I freaked out, went and bought a car charger so I could try to find where I was to leave a note… after searching for 2 hours I was unable to find the apartment complex. I have no information where it was and it was dark so I have no idea what color, make, model, or anything that could identify the car. What should I do?
Jennifer says
I freaked out and have no idea if there is any damage to their car either Because I didn’t get out to check. I’m just really scared because I went back to leave a note when if there wasn’t any damage, but couldn’t find where I was
Ian Pisarcik says
Jennifer,
In Ohio, you’re required to contact the local police and describe, as best you can, the accident and where it occurred. Assuming there were no injuries, you would likely receive a fine if you fail to do and are caught.
Bella says
After doing a school pick up, I accidentally swiped a parked vehicle while making a right turn. It was an interior residential street at a t-section. I was driving right of way on the cross street, making a right turn onto the perpendicular street. After the incident, looking at photos I took, I noticed the vehicle was parked too close to the corner which would have made the vehicle itself the corner, making it difficult for vehicles to make the right turn, without going into the oncoming traffic lane. And if a vehicle is already there, which it was, the turn is difficult as there isn’t enough space. I couldn’t hug the corner as you usually would to make the right turn, as she was parked at the corner so her car became the street corner. And there was a car pulling up to make a left turn, from the perpendicular street I was turning right into, so I felt squished and hugged the corner (their vehicle basically) when contact was made between my passenger side rear wheel well fender and tire to their driver side back bumper. The vehicle waiting to make a left was also farther over to my side, so that was a problem too. Everything made for a difficult right turn. But everything happened fast and I wish I didn’t commit to the turn, feeling rushed with cars and people around, and just waited for all to clear. They were in the car at the time and got out after the incident. Too bad I wasn’t a minute after, they probably were going to leave. Bad timing 🙁
Would the other driver share “fault” due to their parking too close to corner? I couldn’t find CA laws regarding parking distance from a residential street corner. But I know someone who received a ticket for parking at a corner.
Also there was a fire hydrant in front of the house, adjacent to where the vehicle was parked, possibly within 15 feet. Could that help share fault?
In my panic, I did not take down any of their info. They asked for my info which I went and found immediately and shared. But they weren’t forth coming with their info, didn’t even say name or contact number/email. In my panic and because they weren’t open and forthcoming, I didn’t press on it. Which I am so upset with myself about. Maybe they were waiting for me to ask, but I assumed they’d say or show something. I just let them lead the show, so mad. They took photos of my license and insurance card and asked for my cell number. It just really bugs me that they were not forth coming with their info, probably thinking they don’t need to share anything because my car slid past their car, so assumed it was all my fault. And in panic I apologized basically admitting to it being my fault, not realizing their car was parked basically at the corner creating a difficult turn. I didn’t give myself time to talk about it or press for info or look at parking location on corner. I’m embarrassed to not have any info of the other party, aside from photos of them walking to their car and their vehicle, vehicle damage, and plates. I did ask for their name luckily so I have a 1st name, no last. Or much else. Glad I felt courage to take photos at least, so I have evidence and damage documented.
They will for sure file a claim as their bumper has damage and it’s a body style where the bumper is integrated to the side and back panels. Vehicles are so poorly designed.
I haven’t called my agent yet to report the incident. Should I call or email my agent? If I’m not making a claim for my vehicle as I will have it repaired on my own, how does that work? Is a claim opened via the other party through their insurance company calling mine, as a liability claim? I’m assuming my insurance rates will go up for 3 years. And not sure if I have to pay any deductible because I’m not making a claim for my vehicle. So only a liability claim, not a collision claim for me. Unless I can make a case for my arguments and fault is 50/50. Then how would 50/50 work out with me not opening a claim. Maybe no rate increase? I don’t expect my agent would help me with this brainstorming or strategizing. So I’ve avoided contacting them so far.
I’ve been upset for days with all the unknowns. 🙁
I know this is just a fender bender, but I haven’t been through this since I was a teen 20 years ago. I don’t want to be naïve and take the short end of the stick. Trying to have courage while being kind. 🙂
Any advice on all parts and thoughts would be so appreciated, please and thank you so much!!! 🙂
Taylor Hansen says
I’m glad you mentioned taking pictures of your own car damage for repairs and insurance. Last night while I was driving, I accidentally hit a parked car and now my bumper is all messed up. I’ll be sure to find a good auto body shop that can fix my car with my insurance.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for the comment, Taylor!
Francesca Montante says
So I had a incident a while back where someone claimed I hit them and I never recalled hitting anyone at all. I’ve been driving for several years and have never backed into anyone nor been in any accident. This person only came up to me when I was about to leave the event. They said I hit them and I told them there was no way that could have happened. Until I got out of the car to see what happened and low and behold there was damage to my car (some paint was scraped off).
I then said that if there’s damage that was from you hitting me. This person then went on to say, “I have friends that will say they saw you”
Long story short I ended up rolling over just for the fact I had no one who could collaborate my side of the story. The parking area didn’t have cams either.
My question is for future reference: what is the best route to take when in that situation? This person was someone in the community and I really just wanted to avoid any craziness especially since they said their friends would “say they saw me”
Ian Pisarcik says
The best course of action is generally to let your insurance company handle the situation.
If someone claims that you hit them, give them your insurance information and tell them to contact your insurance company. After they make a claim with your insurance company, your insurance company will contact you and ask you what happened. Tell your insurance company that you didn’t hit their vehicle and your insurance company will deny their claim. It will then be up to the other party to file a lawsuit (at which point your insurance company is required to defend you).
Alex says
My car was legally parked near the cafe and it was hit by another car.
I was in the cafe at that time, so I had no chance to avoid a collision.
Now my insurance goes up an about $450 / 6 month.
Is there any way to discard it?
Thank you,
Ian Pisarcik says
Unfortunately, your insurance can go up even when you’re not at fault for the accident. Unless the rate hike violates some language in your policy, your only real option is to try to find a better rate with another insurance company.
Alexandra says
Today I was on a light waiting and accidentally lightly touched the car in front of me.
We both came outside if the cars to inspect. We found nothing. So before we get back to the card he took a picture of my license plate and left the scene. I am so confused and stressed.
Am I in troubles?
Ian Pisarcik says
You’re not in trouble. You’re not required to exchange information if there is no visible damage. The other driver most likely took a picture of your license plate in case he gets home and realizes there’s damage that he didn’t see at the time. If that happens, he’ll likely use your license plate to find out your insurance information and make a claim. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to take time-stamped pictures of your car so that he can’t later claim that there was more damage than what actually occurred.
Khalif says
I bumped into a parked car. I look at the car and didnt notice any scratch or dent . But i wasnt too sure bcos i freaked out at that time. I could miss something. I was scared at that time and left the scene. When arrived home i notice my car bumper is kind a loose. I think maybe their car is also damage . What should i do now. I m still scared
Ian Pisarcik says
In Ohio, if you hit a parked car and cause damage you are required to (a) leave a note with your contact information on the car, (b) or call the local police station and report the accident. Since you left the scene, you should call the local police station and report the accident.
Javier Martinez says
From the bay area California. My parked vehicle was crashed. The driver fled, but fortunately the driver left his vehicle. As it was badly damaged, so he couldn’t take it. I immediately called the police, and they gave me a case number. They told me to notify my insurer and give them the details, along with the case number. All while they investigate on their end, and they call me when they have the info. I called the insurer and gave them the details. Then the insurance company gave me a number to an adjuster. Told me to call him and give them the details. Am I missing something else to do? I apologize for my ignorance, as this the first time I’m going through this stressful situation. Another thing I want to note is that my car has Arizona license plates, but the crash happened in California. Thank you.
Ian Pisarcik says
You are not missing anything.
If the police or your insurance company are able to track down the hit-and-run driver, then you’ll be able to file an insurance claim with their insurance company (if they have insurance) or a personal injury lawsuit against them (if they don’t have insurance). You may also be able to use your uninsured motorist coverage (if you have it). In the meantime, I would recommend taking pictures of the damage to your vehicle.
Javier Martinez says
Hi, it’s me again. I already took the pictures of my damaged vehicle, along with more pictures of when the driver’s vehicle was crashed into mine. Unfortunately I don’t have the uninsured motorist coverage. I suspect he was either drunk or drugged. As my car was parked the opposite direction where he was going, and there was a great distance. Since he fled, I’m hoping either the police or my insurance track the culprit. Hopefully to him also have insurance. Assuming he doesn’t have insurance, am I screwed?
Riley says
This past Sunday,, I was backing out of a parking spot, and my 3 daughters were arguing and screaming in the backseat. I was distracted trying to get them to calm down, and I didn’t notice I bumped into a parked car. I live 5 minutes away from the store. When I got home, I noticed that my tailight was cracked. So I thought someone had hit MY car. So I loaded my girls back up and I drove back to the store to ask the employees if they could see it on camera. When I got back, a lady was at her car and there was a dent in her trunk.
So I parked and walked over and explained that I thought I may have hit her car but had no idea. So we exchanged insurance information. Then a police officer pulled up and started accusing me of hit and run calling me a liar and saying he didn’t believe me. He wrote me a citation for hit and run on a unattended vehicle, and gave me a court date. The woman gave me a hug, she had only called the police because she thought someone had left after hitting her car.
Now I’m facing a hit and run charge, even though I came back to the scene within 10 minutes, and I exchanged information with her. What can I do about this? I truly did not know that I had bumped her car. I’m in a very large truck, and she was in a tiny little car. It was not an impact, it was just a dent due to my bumper/rear end, pushing j to her car. But it did not jerk my vehicle and I could not hear anything due to my children. What do I do.???
Lilah P says
Hello.
Last night, after leaving work, I accidentally hit a parked car while reversing. I completely froze and I went into the next lot to check my car. My mind was blank and I couldn’t feel my body. I went over to check the other car, but I couldn’t see any visible damages. My mind went blank again and all I could think about was my insurance information at home. I live two minutes from my job, so, I just left! I’m completely irresponsible for doing that, but truthfully, all that I was thinking about was my insurance information. I came back in less than ten minutes, but the car was gone! What do I do? I’m freaking out.
Ian Pisarcik says
If you hit an unoccupied vehicle and cause property damage, Illinois law requires you to leave a note containing your contact information on the vehicle. If you fail to do so, Illinois law requires you to contact the local police station and report the accident. You’ll need to provide your contact information, as well as the details of the accident (where it took place, a description of the vehicle you hit, etc.).
Shopping cartScare says
It was about 7 at night
I’m was in the dark grocery store parking lot and I pushed my empty shopping cart onto the area in between forward facing cars. Little did I know it would tap another cart slightly, which then cause that cart to roll and bump into a parked car across from me, the lady was in the car peering over her steering wheel, looking to see what made the thud. I stood frozen, until she looked away, searching for something in her car. I felt an anxiety attack coming on and I did the worst possible thing… I panicked, got in my car and drove. I pulled over and cried and I just started to google what to do and now I found out I’m supposed to leave my info. At this point I’m just waiting for the cops to show up.
I’ve been driving less than a year in my entire life and I’ve never had a record.
Hopefully I can update if the cops do come.
Ian Pisarcik says
You are correct that you should have left your information. With that being said, you can still call the local police station and leave your information with them. That way, if the woman reports the accident, the police have your information.
Dani says
Good day,
I was parked at the doctors and my car rolled and hit a car behind my car that was not parked in the parking bay, that car was wrongly parked and I was not inside the car when I hit the car. I waited 3 hours for the owner and left a note with my numbers, 10 min after I left she called me, I took pictures from her car and mine and she demands her car to be fixed but I have no insurance, she called me to open a case tomorrow at the police, what do I do?
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Dani. If I’m understanding your question correctly, it sounds like something caused your car to roll while it was parked, and it hit another car. It was smart for you to leave a note with your phone numbers because that should protect you from a hit and run charge. However, not having insurance is going to be a problem for you. You’re always required to have insurance in order to drive a car, and the other driver would be within her rights to file a lawsuit against you for the cost of her damages.
You might also face consequences for driving without insurance. A first-time offense of driving without insurance in Alabama is a $200 fine, second offenses are $300, and subsequent offenses are $400.
At this point, you might wish to consult a lawyer to find out what’s the best way to handle the situation. Also, please have your car looked at by a mechanic to see why it rolled from a parked position — that could be very dangerous! Even though it damaged a parked car, it could’ve been much worse if someone had been hit and injured. A car definitely shouldn’t spontaneously roll if it was properly parked with the brake engaged.
If you need the assistance of an Alabama lawyer, you’re welcome to use the free Enjuris directory: https://www.enjuris.com/directory/lawyers/alabama/. Best of luck. I hope it all works out for you.
Sheila says
A week before my 18th bday, it was dark/rainy and I backed out and bumped a car that was parked I checked for damage. I had none. The other car appeared very minor. I left my details on a note. My friends said I was crazy and they would’ve just left because there was nothing wrong. But I wanted to do right thing. I got a call and they agreed to get estimate. I want to settle things up away from insurance -and they seem open to let me do it on my own. I wondered, can I do it on my own? I am 18 now, but was 17 at time of incident. Also, I asked them to just confirm that once I make payment to auto repair place and give them a check for rental we are all square, but they have not given me that confirmation back so I still didn’t drop the check off to auto place. I know we verbally agreed to it and I trust them, but am I worng to want a text or something in writing stating the same terms, so that we all know we are on same page and no misunderstandings or calls for more checks later down the road (which I don’t have!). . Should I take leap of faith and drop checkoff at auto repair place,or stand firm and wait for their confirmation about the details of our agreement? It’s about $1,300 and I don’t know why they are ghosting me on this end of it. This has been hanging in the wind for months and making me nervous.
Jose Doe says
I hit a car parked on the corner. No damage to my vehicle. Isn’t there certain rules regarding how close a car can park to a corner that can help me?
Ak says
If an unoccupied vehicle that is in park with the parking brake applied ends up sliding forward and makes contact with another unoccupied parked vehicle what are the correct legal steps to take?
Note that there was no visible damage, and there may have been a one and a half to two feet between the vehicles prior to the vehicle sliding.
Ian Pisarcik says
In Ohio, if your vehicle strikes an unoccupied vehicle AND causes damages, you’re required to leave a note with your contact information on the vehicle.
The law does not require you to leave a note if you are certain that you didn’t cause any damage.
You can learn more about Ohio hit-and-run accidents here: https://www.enjuris.com/ohio/car-accident/hit-and-run/
Dewey Cox says
I hit a parked car down the street from my house the other night. I was scared, panicked, and left and drove a few houses down and pulled in my driveway. The driver came out saw where I lived and came to my house. I came to talk to her and she informed me she called the police. I didn’t go in my house and waited for them . Could this still be considered a hit and run?
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Dewey. Yes, a hit and run is any time you’ve collided with another car, person, or other property and you leave the scene. It doesn’t matter that your home is down the block or how long it’s been. Did the police contact you after she called them? You might want to be proactive and call the police department yourself to make a report. Otherwise, I would definitely consult a lawyer to find out what you can do to try to mitigate any consequences that might happen. Best of luck.
SW says
I was reversing to move out in the parking lot yesterday and I heard a little noise thinking I hit a car. So I parked again very close to where I previously parked and check my car and found no scratches and left the vicinity. My husband expect the back of my car last night and said there was a little scratch. Should I go back to the mall and ask if someone is complaining about being hit. Should I call my insurance or police to tell the story?
Melissa Gold says
The state of Texas does require a driver to leave certain information at the scene of a collision if there’s any property damage. However, one defense to a hit and run charge is that the driver wasn’t aware that they hit another vehicle. Unfortunately, the time to call the police department to report a collision would be immediately at the scene, but you might want to call now (as soon as possible) to make a report, and explain that you did look at the other car and didn’t think there was any damage. This way, if the other driver reported damage to their vehicle, you can perhaps avoid any hit and run charges but handle the costs for the damages directly (or through insurance). You might also wish to call a lawyer for guidance if you believe that there was damage to the other vehicle.
Ash says
I was heading to get food and looked away from the road for just a second and next thing I know I’m about to hit two cars waiting to turn into McDonald’s but are still in the road without their turn signals or anything just sitting there I’m pretty sure. Just as I turn my eyes back to the road I realize they’re there and try to swerve into the other lane to avoid hitting them and slam on my breaks. I still ended up hitting the one person and they got “pushed” into the other person that I’m sure they were right up against. So now I’m out my car which I’m going to have to pay an absurd amount to be fixed and my insurance I’m sure will go up because I was faulted at hitting two stopped cars. This is a major probably in my area there was a time period police had signs up saying not to block the highway yet that’s all they did. No tickets, no enforcing nothing. The officer even said all the wrecks that he’s dealt with have literally been the same place and similar situation. Is there any thing I can do or is it too late since I’ve already been faulted? These cars should not be allowed to be parked in the middle of the road especially with no turn signal or hazard lights or anything. Just stopped in a extremely busy road and I see it all the time.
Jho says
I hit a parked car in a mall and because of panic I just left it but I returned and the damaged car wasnt there already what to do?
Ian Pisarcik says
In most states, if you leave the scene of an accident without leaving a note, you’re required to contact the local police station and report the accident.
Local Student says
I hit a car that was parked at little to close to me, while I was perfectly parked in the spot. There was no Damage to the other vehicle and very little to mine. My vehicle is only worth about $1,500 should I make a clam with my insurance or not worry about it
Ian Pisarcik says
Car insurance companies will often raise the premiums if an insured gets into an accident. For this reason, it probably doesn’t make sense for you to file an insurance claim if the damage to your vehicle was very minor.
SM says
I live and work in NJ. White at my job at the hospital a pick up truck hit my parked SUV. The man got out of his pick up surveyed the damages decided it was no biggie jumped in his pick up and drove off. Meanwhile, a coworker whom I never met witnessed the whole ordeal, called Security, reported the incident and followed the man who left the scene. The Security team intervened around the corner from the accident and has to flag the man down and make him stop. At 1st he lied about hitting my car to Security, then he stated “there was no damage”, then after being shown pics of the damage he stated “oh well that’s not much damage” as if it’s he has the authority to assess the level of damage. The Security team forced him to provide his contact info and insurance info. The incident was reported to the police but a report was not filed. When I got off from my 12.5 hour shift I came out to a note on my windshield left by Security advising me to contact them.
Upon contacting the Security team I was advised my car was involved in an incident and to check my car for damages. I asked for info about what happened and was told to call back tomorrow because the Security officers who were involved had already left for the day. I called the police and sat in my car while the Police Officer arrived. A police report was taken. I took pics at the scene. In the days that followed I began to get all the information I provided above. The man who hit my car was given a ticket a week or two later which he brought to the hospital as if they were supposed to make it go away. The man is claiming he reported the incident and shouldn’t have gotten the ticket. The man was reminded he did not report the incident he was forced to stop and provide his info by Security around the corner of the location of the actual scene.
It seems to me this person is looking to get away with a crime. My car is damaged it has yet to be fixed. I am scared to report it to my insurance because I don’t want our rates to go up. I have a $750 deductible. I’m being told by some people that before anything can happen to address the damages I’ll have to pay the deductible. I don’t understand why if I was at work minding my business why I have to come out of pocket for something I didn’t create. I have a few questions.
1. Am I able to go thru his insurance to have this fixed without involving my insurance?
2. We’re scheduled for virtual court March 18th, how so I present this so that he is required to fix my car?
3. Since I didn’t witness the hit and run what must I do to ensure my testimony isn’t taken lightly?
4. Will my rate go up if I report the incident?
5. I have recorded conversations in between myself and the Security team. Can I present those in court?
Hayden Church says
I had an incident recently. I was boxed in by the 2 cars next to me so I had to back up and give them a wide berth before I could make the turn but the Ford F 150 was past the nose of the parking spot and when I cleared the parking spot to turn I hit his bumper. Upon inspection I didnt see any dents or dings so I went to a open parking space so I wasn’t boxed in. I went back inside my workplace but didn’t know who to report it to. When I came out there was security officer already taking my plates and had me write a statement. There is a very small crease about the length of a pinky and half as wide. How culpable was I in the entire scenario? I know that I am at fault but how culpable am I considering I was boxed in so there was no turn unless I pulled all the way out and the truck behind me had its nose a foot out of the parking square.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Hayden. This is a good question. If the other cars were parked and your car was in motion, you would be liable for damages from a collision. Another car being over the line in their parking spot is usually not a defense, and things could be complicated if it’s considered a hit-and-run. I know you think the damage is very small, so the repair hopefully won’t be terribly costly. However, Ohio law requires that you either report the collision to police yourself or leave identifying contact information with the vehicle that was damaged (in other words, leave a note).
You should call your insurance company right away, and ask for a copy of the security report. If you find that you need assistance, you can use the Enjuris law firm directory to find a lawyer near you who can help.
Renee Talbert says
I was sitting in my parked car preparing to go into the grocery store, when I look up and see this car coming towards me, so Im thinking she will just turn into the space next to me, but the next thing I know there was, I felt a hard shake and I see her car smashed into my passenger side. I’m thinking she is going to reverse her car so its not banged into mine and park her car correctly, NOOOO she backs up and SPEEDS OFF! I did manage to get a pic of her car and two witnesses that stayed with me and got her plate # for me and they gave me their info so I could call on them as witnesses. I called the police, they did a report, I called my insurance company and reported the accident, sent the picture and the witness names. What happens next? Also, I have had a headache ever since that happened. What are my options, how does this all work, never had accident where someone fled the scene. Help!!
William says
I witnessed a van crash into a parked car which then hit the next car in front of it, causing minor but still serious damage to both. Two gentlemen got out, looked at the scene for a few minutes, and then got back into their van and calmly drove off. Should I, as a witness, leave a note on the parked car explaining what I saw?
Ian Pisarcik says
Thank you for the comment.
You do not have a legal obligation to leave a note or otherwise report the accident. Nevertheless, leaving a note describing what you saw (particularly if you have information that can help the owner of the car identify the at-fault driver) would certainly be kind and potentially helpful.
Anna says
I’ve been driving my dads F150 for a few months as a new driver and i’m not totally comfortable with parking it. I went to a very big mall with a friend and i had to go to the parking garages. i went through multiple spots until i found one a little bigger i pulled in and it was tight then i went to straighten out and because of the size of my vehicle and the nissan ultimate next to me i ended up backing into them, there was little damage at first, but because I couldn’t pull forward i was stuck under their wheel well and for abt an hour frantic on the phone with my dad, and luckily for a pedestrian i was able to get unstuck. in the end the step for the truck was stuck under their wheel well due to the slant we were on and the pedestrian helped weigh my car down to not fully take off their bumper when backing out. malls cops showed up and helped fill out my insurance than the car owner showed up turns out they were from out of state which didn’t help. But in the end insurance handled everything. idk how my insurance rate will go up and I have a nice long scratch on the side of the car and a new fear of parking haha.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for sharing your story! I’m glad it all worked out in the end.
Jim says
How long do I leave the note on a car that parked in front of my house. They parked too close to my driveway. When I tried to fit my car on the street without blocking my driveway, I noticed that I was touching their bumper when I checked if I had more room. I reparked across the street and when I came back, noticed a small dent on their bumper. Assuming it was me, I left a note with my name, #, and description. It’s been over three days and the car and note are still there. I want to deal with the owner directly without insurance if possible. Several cars have parked in front of them between then and now. What if there car gets towed? Do I want my information floating around?
July says
Hoy he golpeado un coche, aparcando marcha atrás, me he puesto a llorar es algo no me creía que me iba pasar, cogí el coche donde estacioné lo lleve a otra parte, y en 3 h volví donde estába el coche que me he chocado para dejar nota de contacto y lo que ha ocurrido Me siento mal soy un conductor novel . No me gusta causar daño porque me ha afecta mucho. Soy una persona que los problemas me superan.
Ian Pisarcik says
Si usted chocó un vehículo sin ocupantes, la ley requiere que deje una nota en el vehículo antes de abandonar el lugar. Sin embargo, hizo lo correcto al regresar al automóvil para dejar una nota. Supongo que el vehículo todavía estaba allí, pero si no estaba, debe llamar al departamento de policía local e informar sobre el accidente.
Delivery Driver says
Today I was backing out of a parking space when I heard a slow groaning noise, when I saw that I had hit a parked truck but I panicked and left without leaving info. I tried to return to the scene later to give the driver my info but they were gone. I’m freaking out right now because I worry I’ll go to jail for this. As far as I could tell there was only slight damage to my car, a dent in the rear but I cannot be sure if the truck was undamaged as I only saw it in my rear view.
Ed says
I was backing out from a parking lot to go home from work and I didn’t see this parked car behind me and I bumped into them. My car is fine just some mis-coloring on the bumper. The opposing car has dents in the passenger doors and thankfully no one is hurt, at least I think not. We exchanged information and got the police involved to do an exchange form. Luckily a police report was not filed because no one was hurt. I reported it to my insurance and apologized profusely to the other driver while asking if they were okay. I didn’t know what else to do because I was more concerned for their safety than my own. This is my first accident and I just want it to be over with. I’m scared that the opposing driver will want more than what my insurance is willing to pay. Luckily they were nice about it, but playing nice is like telling a lie you can say you’re fine, but really aren’t. I really just want this over with and I’ll pay for the damages, I don’t care at this point. Am I the one at fault because I didn’t see them? Did I do the right thing? Is there a chance that the opposing party is going to ask for more? Is there a way to deal with it if it happens?
Samuel says
I hit a unocuppied parked car in Iowa and panicked and left the scene. The next day I called the police department and let them know. They said they couldnt find the hit car and they havent filed a report. If they do file a report and I confirm I am guilty of hitting the car and leaving the scene, do I run the risk of losing my lisence? And what kind of tickets or punitive punishment might I recieve from the state?
Ian Pisarcik says
If the only damage caused by the crash was property damage and no one was injured, then the crime can be charged as a misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $625. You won’t lose your license based on this incident alone.
Robert says
I was doing a U turn and I scratched a car that was unattended and parked I panicked and took off I think someone captured my plates but I was so scared and I just lost all focus what should I do?
Ian Pisarcik says
The best option is to return to the car that you hit and leave your contact information. If this isn’t possible, you can call the local police station and report the accident.
Anna says
I hit a parked car while reversing out of a driveway yesterday. I was checking my side and reverse mirrors and windows the whole time yet I somehow just didn’t see it and backed right into the drivers door. Nobody was occupying the car and since I was going slow it was only a small dent, but it was in just the right spot where the door can only open slightly and the side mirror is cracked. The owner came out and we exchanged information, he was very nice and told me he might not even claim it, however I’m still nervous that he might and I’m 17, I just got my license a week ago so insurance would probably skyrocket. I told him I get my check next week and first thing I’ll use it towards is covering his damage (but as I said I’m 17 and only work a part time job so I don’t even know if I can cover it, I panicked), so I was wondering if it is possible for us to resolve this without contacting insurance if I pay for the damage? Or was that a dumb mistake and is it best to go through insurance? I haven’t notified my insurance yet because I’m not sure if we can settle this our selves and I don’t know what to do.
Lola V says
Hi,
I was backing out of a parking space and at the very last second, as I was starting to pull forward, felt/heard a little bump. Assumed I must’ve ever so slightly hit the wall of the brand new Starbucks that was the only thing behind me (no other parking spaces and really no street as this parking with in an enclosed area with only about five or ten spaces).
Af the starting to drive forward, I could see that it was a car in a drive through lane at the Starbucks! No idea if they were completely parked or had been pulling forward at the time.
There really wasn’t any damage, her white paint just wiped right off my black car with a simple swipe of my hand, but she didn’t try to do anything to the black marks on her white car. She took pictures and I gave her all my information except for insurance.
I’m currently uninsured but had told her I didn’t any to use insurance anyway. I didn’t realize my policy had expired but come to find out, I wouldn’t have been covered for her damage anyway as I was only carrying the minimum on my car while it was parked during lockdown. Because she was inside her car, the property damage doesn’t cover this and thus she’d file an underinsured/uninsured claim with her insurance.
She has all of my information except my insurance, which I don’t have anyway, but will her insurance still try to contact me somehow for this? Or does my info not matter at this point since she’d be filing the underinsured/uninsured claim? It wouldn’t be a collision claim in case her policy doesn’t have that option, but I believe Arizona requires this option so this point may be moot.
Can I just tell her to file the uninsured claim with her insurance – and offer to pay her deductible, BUT isn’t this waived if the accident wasn’t her fault?
I had originally said I’d just pay out of pocket but because she wants to go through insurance, I’m telling her to file the uninsured claim. And looking back, I have no idea if she was parked in the (unmarked) drive through “lane” or if she was in motion as well as me.
I’m surprised she wants to go through insurance to fix it, and get the feeling she’s trying to get a paint job or something out of this as there really Didn’t appear to be any damage other than a couple black marks on her bumper. She also mentioned not being sure if this would affect the resale value of her car.
Finally, and most of interest to me is the fault being with Starbucks. I’ve never seen a drive through with no awnings, markings, signs or lines on the pavement. With a car in line, that car would be in about the same spot as if it was parked in the next row of spots behind the row I was in.
Further, after pulling back into the spot after the incident to talk with her, it was when I backed out again that I realized how incredibly dangerous and poorly designed the parking and Starbucks combo is – there is essentially no room to back up if there was a line formed in the drive thru you could even be stuck for a while.
Because the spot I was in is in such a small spot of the parking lot where nobody is a lot, I’m
Not sure if this has happened before or not but this Starbucks should definitely fix this and at LEAST put some barrier or lines marking this (just like another parking space behind me would’ve been marked to warn as well).
Thanks so much and I look forward to your response!
Mel says
How about if two cars park each other, then one car move, the other car bump the other….is there a fault?
Ian Pisarcik says
I don’t quite understand the scenario you’re describing. If two cars are parked, and one car bumps into the other car, then the car that moved (i.e., the car that bumped the other car) would generally be at fault.
Jessica says
I got into and accident with two cars after the accident the other driver came towards me and started punching me in the face no one was helping me and I was afraid and I left my car there and now I have a hit n run the told me my vehicle is on hold and I need to go to the police station can I be arrested there ? When I go show my registration and insurance.?
Priya says
So my car was parked at the car park, I reversed the car and didnt see a car behind me. The car just touched the car behind, no damages had happened. They had taken our name and address. There was also a witness. Currently on black box. What is your best advice to do?
Ian Pisarcik says
I would take photographs of your vehicle that clearly show there is no damage. In addition, I would have the witness sign a statement saying there was no damage. Finally, save any black box data from the accident.
Tone says
I recently backed my dump truck into a parked vehicle. I located the owner in the store of the parking lot .After explaining the incident to him I was asked to accompany him to a job site his father was at. After explaining the incident to the father he then contacted his insurance company. While listening to his conversation I heard him ask if he should contact the police. The insurance company said it wasn’t necessary but to get pictures of my company’s insurance policy and a picture of my license. I compiled with all his requests. Now I am being told more than a week later that the police are looking for me and am in trouble for leaving the scene of an accident. I am really freaking out and don’t know what to do.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Tone. While each state does have its own set of laws for a hit-and-run accident, it sounds as though you did most of the right things by seeking out the owner of the damaged vehicle and providing your information. You might wish to call the police yourself and explain the situation, and let them know that you did identify yourself and provide all of the requested information. You might also wish to contact a lawyer who can advise you on how to proceed. Although you know you didn’t leave the scene of the crash (except to locate the owner of the vehicle), you might need to prove that, and your lawyer is the best person to advise you based on the evidence and the facts at hand. If you don’t have a lawyer, you can find one using the Enjuris law firm directory. Best of luck.
Leah says
Hi! I backed into a car earlier tonight in my condo’s parking lot. I had frozen food to put away, it was pouring rain, and there were three guys standing around (in the rain!) making me nervous, so I started walking to my door to go inside, put my food away, and get the materials to write a note (pen, paper, ziploc bag). One of the guys walked over and took a photo of my license plate, and then they all walked off. I did go back down and leave a note with my name and phone number, as well as taking numerous photos of the car and of my note on the windshield (made sure to get some of the note with the license plate). But now I’m wondering if I’ll be charged with a hit-and-run, since I technically left the scene briefly. Any advice you can give me would be really helpful, thank you. (Also, the other car does seem to be damaged, but there is tape over one of the brake lights — documented in my photos — so I can’t tell how much is from me and how much damage was already there.)
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Leah. First, good job for knowing the right thing to do. You probably shouldn’t have taken the time to put away your groceries before leaving a note (I understand not wanting your things to defrost, but sometimes you just have to react differently in an emergency), but if the onlookers made you nervous it would be reasonable to take steps to protect yourself from harm.
It sounds like you could reasonably defend yourself by saying you went to get a pen and paper, and that you were concerned for your safety. Still, you would have been more protected if you’d called to report it to the police because then it would be known that you were intending to take responsibility for the collision.
My suggestion is to call a lawyer as soon as possible and provide all of the facts. Your lawyer might advise you to call and make a police report, depending on how much time has passed. Your lawyer will also help you navigate the insurance issues that are likely to need handling for the other car. If you need a lawyer, you can find one here. Good luck!
Brandie says
About a hour in a half ago my boyfriend was getting out of work. I was waiting for him in the car I tried to back out a little bit and loved tapped a parked car. I got out to look and there was no damaged to the car or our car. He gets in the driver side and I was gonna try and look for at paper and pen but he drove around the parking lot. I don’t have my license and I did panic a little. A employee reported it inside to Walmart and it got back to him and now the girl that reported it is trying to get my boyfriend fired because she doesn’t like me. I don’t know what to do at the moment.
Ian Pisarcik says
Based on the information you provided, there is no grounds for your boyfriend to be fired. In most states, you are only required to leave a note on an unoccupied vehicle if the impact resulted in damage. If the woman who owns the car wants to file a lawsuit, she has a right to do so. However, she would need to prove that there was damage to her vehicle in order to succeed. I would recommend taking time-stamped pictures of your vehicle showing that there was no damage.
Roger says
I hit an empty parked car, there was no damage and at most it might have left a dent. This was my first time and I panicked, I drove back but the owner wasn’t there. I didn’t see any damage to the car the first time and it wasn’t there when I went back. I couldn’t leave my information since I had no pen or paper. I am nervous about this but there were no witnesses and no cameras so I don’t know what to do.
Johnny says
As I got into my dad’s car after work, I opened the car door halfway and put my stuff in first, all of suddenly the wind blew hard and swing the car door wide open which hit the park car next to me, I check on the two small scratch or scuff mark and I panic and left the scene. I have been wanting to approach the person at work and apologize, not knowing how the person going to react and I was willing to pay for the damage, what the best way to approach the person properly?
Billy says
I have lived in America for 2 years and I still do not know all the laws or how to cope. Yesterday I tried to go to the doctor and got lost in a remote area where I have never been. I was scared, I stopped in a parking lot and when I was returning to the reverse I scratched my car (then I assumed it was a wall) I turned around I saw a black car behind me I panicked even more and left. My car has deep scratches and white (no black marks from the car behind me) so I still believe I hit a pole. After reading what I had to do here I tried to find the place where I was and leave my data in the building next to the parking lot but I could not find it, I was completely lost and panicked yesterday and I do not remember exactly where I was driving. If I hit a car what could happen to me (there are only deep scratches on my car and I felt like I was scratching it against a wall)? Will I be arrested? I am very scared. What is the scariest scenario that could happen to me? How long will I live with this fear?
LA says
Hi there, I hit a parked car and caused damage to their bumper. I panicked and left the scene, but came back shortly afterwards and left a note on their car. It was raining and I didn’t have a plastic bag, so I left it in a (clean!) doggie poop bag. It has been two days since the incident, and I haven’t heard from them. I’m concerned that I may get in trouble for leaving the scene and also that they might have accidentally thrown away my information. What should I do next? Do I need to call the police?
Dustin says
I was side swiped by a vehicle and followed the vehicle into the neighborhoods to try and get their license plate. We were driving too fast and the road curved and I could not brake/turn in time and hit a parked vehicle along with damaged a light post. My vehicle was a total lost and I panicked and got picked up by a friend before the police arrived to the scene. I had to leave my vehicle at the scene which had my information (insurance/registration etc) but did not specifically write down my information for the other vehicle owner. I did not file a police report but there was one filed. I provided the police my insurance information over the phone when asked to and did not answer any other questions. I did file a motor vehicle crash report to our dept of vehicle services (which I was told to by an attorney). I was also charged for the light post damage (insurance covered). My insurance handled my car but we did not have information on the other car, nor we do not know if the police had given them my insurance information for other vehicle owner.
Would I still be receiving anything about being charged with a hit and run? I am assuming misdemeanor hit and run since it was only property damage and not fatal/bodily harm, but at this point since the police already had my insurance information, I am not sure if it was already handled unless the vehicle owner I hit files charges. Nor I am unaware if the other vehicle owner contacted my insurance for their vehicle. Please advise any information as possible. Thank you,
Aurora says
Slightly tapped a parked car’s side mirror as I was changing lanes. I was going to wait until there was more room for me to switch lanes, but cars behind me were honking. The parked car was actually not supposed to be parked there anyway because it is a no parking zone on Fridays. I freaked out because this was the first time this has ever happened and tried to park my car in front of the parked car so I can maybe leave a note, but other cars honked so all I could do was quickly check that there was no damage to my car or to the other parties’. Luckily, there wasn’t but I couldn’t leave a note. What should I do?
Ian Pisarcik says
If there was no damage to the vehicle, then you don’t need to leave a note under California Vehicle Code § 20002. If there was damage and you left the scene, you should call the local police and report the accident.
Sky Alert says
I accidentally bumped another car pulling into a spot and took off some paint. I left a note on their windshield and I’m waiting for them to come back so I can talk to them. I’m terrified of contacting my insurance company because the rate is already so high and my mother (who owns the insurance) will kill me when she finds out. What do I do?
Sarah says
I work as a delivery driver (Michigan) and I was pulling into a diagonal parking spot outside my job like I normally do from the other side of the street(if that makes sense?). The other cars were very close to the line making it difficult to fit into the spot and I scrapped the car on the right turning in. In a panick, I finished turning into the parking spot bc backing up would have cause more damage. The owner was in the car and came out an yelled at me. This is my first time getting into an accident and I didn’t know what to do and say so I apologized and expressed that I didn’t know what info he needed. I grabbed my insurance and registration but he just asked for my phone number and took my license plate. I was panicked but there didn’t seem to be any damage to his truck (there wasn’t any damage to my car) and I didn’t get a good look. I just walked into my job and panicked in the bathroom. When I went to on my next deliver y he was gone. I’m 20 and use my parents car insurance and I don’t know what to do. I’m afraid to tell my parents because we can’t afford any insane expenses right now. I saw that they have 2years to contact and I didn’t take any pictures in my panic. What should I do?
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Sarah. I am sorry this happened to you. Everyone is frightened after their first accident! It’s totally normal to feel panicked and to forget to do things that you know you should in the moment. I totally get it. You did the right thing by offering the other vehicle’s owner your license and registration, but if he felt comfortable taking just your phone number and license plate number, that’s fine too. The important part is that you identified yourself and he has a way to contact you if necessary. If he found damage to his vehicle, he might be getting quotes for repairs. But, if you didn’t see any damage on either vehicle, that’s a good sign. He might have taken the information he did just in case he finds damage later and needs to get in touch with you.
I do have 2 suggestions, however: First, try to remember that no matter how small the accident seems, it’s a good idea to get a police report at the scene. It might look like there’s no damage, but another driver could later claim that some pre-existing damage was caused by the accident (I’m not suggesting this will happen in this instance, but for the future, it’s a good thing to think about). Also, sometimes it could appear that there is minimal damage on the outside but there could be some function or mechanism that’s not visible on the car that needs repair.
Second, I would encourage you to come clean to your parents. Let them know that it happened and that you spoke with the other driver, but you didn’t think there was any damage. It would be much better for your parents to hear it from you than for them to get a call from their insurance adjuster if he ends up making a claim. Good luck… and remember, these things happen to everyone. You’ve got this! 💪🏼
Phoenix says
We live in a 4 plex (2 apartments upstairs and 2 downstairs). Today I was approached by one of our neighbors claiming that my husband bumped into his unattended parked car 2 weeks ago, causing $500 in damage to his vehicle. Neither my husband nor myself recall that happening, there is no unexplained damage to our vehicle, and nothing was said to us when the alleged incident occurred. This was on private property with limited parking space. There were no witnesses, and no security cameras on the property. The police weren’t contacted and no police report filed. Can he legally attempt to get us to pay for damage that we do not believe my husband caused?
Bdxmas says
Hit a car while backing out of a friends driveway that was parked across the road on Christmas Day! It sucks! I was suppose to go to my sisters but she had called and told me not to cause they were exposed to covid so I went to a friends house and then this happened when I left the house! Really mad at myself right now cause I can’t afford the increase of insurance to begin with!
John Smith says
I bumped into a car door with my truck while I was trying to pull out of the gas pump I tried to turn right and my tire put a dent in the front door of the car. I tried to negotiate with the other driver and offered to pay her and fix hers door but she refused and said she was calling the law. I panicked and fled the scene because I don’t have insurance and my license is suspended for unpaid tickets. I was driving a truck that I just bought from a private owner and it is still registered in their name with the tag and title still in their name. What can I do to make this right and what will happen to the original owner am I in a lot of trouble now?
Gia says
A few nights ago I was driving home around 10:30pm from my fiance’s house in a large subdivision. We’d had snow earlier in the day and it was lightly snowing again. I’m not very familiar with the area and I ended up losing traction and sliding onto someone’s property and hitting one of the vehicles they had parked, not directly in their driveway but opposite the sidewalk very close to the street. Caused bumper damage to their car but more extensive damage to my own. I attempted to survey the damage, but the area was very slippery and I ended up falling as well. I’ve never had an incident before and was very shaken up. The house looked dark and I was alone so I drove my car about 2 blocks back to my fiance’s and he went back to check on the damage and left a note on the car with my contact information. I’d never been in an accident before so I just called my insurance companies road side assistance and had my car towed to a collision shop. I didn’t even think to file a police report being that no one was hurt and their damages didn’t seem too bad. The next morning the owner of the car contacted me and we exchanged the rest of our info for repairs, he even joked about that curve being the curve of doom and had been hit 3 times. Could the homeowner’s association be held responsible for not prioritizing an area known for accidents, especially during icy weather? The following day I received a call from the local sheriff’s office that a report was filed and asked for my statement. He didn’t mention whether I’d be penalized in any way, just that he needed my statement of the incident. I’ve always maintained an excellent driving record and I’m worried that now I’ll have a record because I left the scene and had my vehicle towed without filing a report.
Nic says
I was backing up at my college parking lot and bumped into a truck, I have a little Honda Civic so only going about 5 mph shouldn’t do any damage but anyway I took pictures and left a note but after looking it at every angle I don’t see any damages to either vehicle, so what are the odds I will have to pay for any “damage” they say they have and what if they don’t contact me at all?
Cooper says
As I was parking to go to school, I accidentally bumped a car that was maybe a foot over the line into my parking space. There is some damage at the front, but it kind of looked like it wasn’t due to me bumping it. At first I thought about leaving, but after my class I decided to leave a note. But I only left my number, and I didnt think about being specific on where I bumped them. I took pictures of where I bumped them but not anywhere else. And I took a picture of my car. Was leaving just my number enough, and is it possible they could claim I did more damage than I know I possibly could have?
Vic says
A car was a foot behind me as I was parked in a alley way. The person had been behind me for around 3 minutes or so an her car was out alttle in the street.
I was unaware that she was that close waiting.
She got out of her car an was about to tell me to move when I barely put my car in reverse an barely hit her front.
She had said she had blew her horn which I did not hear.
She blames me . All she had to do was drive around the block.
Not sure who’s to blame since she was out of her car an in the street an a foot from my rear end.. ?
I was not in the street. Not sure about California law an car’s deliberately behind one’s car an only a foot away ?
Sally says
I was pulling a trailer and I parked side ways in some space at a Walgreens and a young kid backed in and parked his car right in front of mine so couldn’t get out. I scooted forward a bit and accidentally put a small dent in his car. Should I contact a lawyer?
He called the police and we exchanged insurance information.
Amy says
So today I backed into a car. The car I was driving is my dad’s. He has full coverage. The dicer of the other car did not own it, it’s his girlfriend’s. We exchanged numbers and he got inurance insinrabcw info from me and took pic of the plate. I was a mess and didn’t think to get info from him. I just know make and model. He said he had to leave to get his girlfriend’s car back so she could go to work. He did give me his cell number. I called him and he said he gave his girlfriend my number and she will contact me because it’s her car. She’s not called and I can’t get him to answer my calls now. I have the text we exchanged showing he said shed call and all that. And where is asked for exact make and model and plate number. Hea not replying now either. So where do I go from here? ….can they wait several .months or even years to pop up with a claim? I have pics of the scrape and small dent on the rear bumper. But nothing else.
Carol says
We sold our home and moved to an apartment in North Carolina to be closer to our grandchildren in June. Not long after that, July or August, I was backing into a space and I think I may have bumped the car next to me on their left side. It made a loud noise. They are slanted spaces and everyone has to back in. I got out and looked and didn’t see any damage at all. My car already had scratches on the right side where a scraped against a pole at work. I wasn’t sure what to do. I didn’t have anything to leave a note with and I was worried my husband would be very upset. I left my car there and checked on the other car several times. I looked and looked and did not see any damage. I eventually forgot about it. But I’m worried now after reading about “hit and runs”. What should I do!?
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Carol. You might wish to consult a lawyer. Yes, you are required to leave a note even if there is no visible damage. However, without knowing who owns the car you hit, it would be difficult to reconcile now.
Carol says
I didn’t complete my comment above about what happened….as I said I didn’t leave a note, but I really didn’t realize I needed to as I saw no damage. I didn’t leave and didn’t hide my car. This morning, a Sunday, someone banged loudly on our door. I went and opened it and a tall dark haired man was there, holding an iPhone. He didn’t introduce himself, he just asked who lived there. I said we did. He asked our names and I was very flustered so I told him. He said something, I can’t quite remember and started walking down the hall. I asked if I could help him with anything and he said, no, he had gotten all he needed. He spoke with a northeastern US accent, like New York or New Jersey. The car I back into was a big black SUV with a New Jersey license plate. After this incident it brought back memories of me backing into that car and I’m wondering if he is the owner and has been tracking me down. What should I do? I still haven’t told my husband! I’m a good person, I’ve never been in trouble, never been arrested, never caused an accident…I’m very anxious about this now…